Fear and uncertainty about HSV2

[ylu09]

Hi everyone, new joiner here: 

 

Here is a bit about myself(21M), I had protected sex last week with a message worker(unknown hsv status, but no active outbreak), mainly oral and a bit of vaginal sex, it was a mistake and I am in deep regret right now. And two days later I found out that I have some pain when I am peeing and frequently urinate, the doctor gave me some doxycycline, and it is one week later, my pain is gone but the frequent urination problem is still there, it's literally like I want to pee right after I peed. Furthermore, I have had a mild constipation problem since three days ago, and went to CityMD for a urine test today, and the doctor told me that there are a bit of blood in my urine. 

Honestly, I am freaking out for the entire week, and I am not able to eat well and exercise, and I do not know what to do right now, I am here to seek help, and if anyone can share with me of their HSV2 experience or whether my symptom is HSV2 or not, it will be greatly appreciated!

[ylu09]

and I am also experiencing some fu like symptom like sore throat, but I am not sure wheather that is due to HSV2 or just poor rest that I got over last week. 

[ylu09]

any comment will be appreciated!!!

 

[ylu09]

almost certain that I have HSV2 by now, feeling a sudden numbness in my left leg, and the urinary retention problem just got even worse. TBH I do not know what I can do right now, I feel so hopeless and miserable......

[Pips33]

Hey hope youre okay. Im not sure if it sounds like HSV2, have you experienced any visible sores? Having said that, a fever is quite common during the initial outbreak. I also havent heard about urine problems with HSV2 (unless its pain when trying to pass urine due to sores)? 
having said that please visit a sexual health doctor to get definitive answers! It may be a different STI? Im not any kind of healthcare professional!

if you do end up positive for HSV2 i know it will seem like the end of the world, but it really isnt! Its more common than you realise. Take care of yourself

[ylu09]

thanks for your kind word @Pips33! It really means a lot to me, not I do not have pain in passing the urine, but the doctor do said that i have some blood in the urine which is really scary. I have visited CityMD numerous times and also to my PCP, but they all said that I am unlikely to catch an HSV, however, all of my symptoms seems to match the symptom for an HSV2 except an outbreak, and I am very scared and confused. 

[ylu09]

in addition, I dont know if you guys are able to see this, but it seems to be like a red sore inside the tip of my penis, but it does not hurt or itch, it is possible that it is an outbreak?

[mr_hopp]

Hi @ylu09 and welcome!

I totally get the fear and uncertainty about this. It can be super overwhelming with so many question marks floating around with not as many clear answers. All of us have gone through this in some capacity. But hang in there, you will be okay!

The symptoms you list have been associated with herpes, but they're also tied to a whole lot of other things, including other STIs. So it's great that you have been consulting a doc about this stuff since a lot of your questions require a medical professional and we can't do much to help you directly answer you. 

However, it's important to be gentle with yourself and remember that we all make mistakes. What's done is done, and after the smoke from this experience clears, focus on learning from this experience and using it as an opportunity for personal growth. Regret can be a powerful teacher. It can motivate us to make better choices moving forward and be more mindful of our actions. It's a chance to reflect on our values, boundaries, and what we truly want for ourselves.

Stay strong, and know that you're not alone in this journey. We're here to support you. Keep us updated on how things progress, and feel free to reach out with any more questions or concerns you may have!

[ylu09]

hi @mr_hopp, thank you so much for your kind words, it really means a lot to me. 

 

I do have one more question, is it possible for people who has HSV2 have all the other symptoms without the outbreaks? To me, I think every symptoms that I have points to HSV2, but I do not get an outbreak, I am just wondering whether that is possible or not?

[mr_hopp]

I totally get your question! It's actually possible for some people with HSV2 to experience other symptoms without visible outbreaks. So, it's not uncommon to have symptoms like pain or discomfort during urination, frequent urination, or even flu-like symptoms without seeing any visible sores.

But also remember that these symptoms can also be caused by other factors unrelated to herpes. To get a clear answer, it's best to consult a healthcare professional, especially a sexual health specialist. They can provide proper testing and guidance, taking into account your specific situation. (I don't know where you are in the world, but if you have a Planned Parenthood near you, they are top-notch when it comes to STI knowledge and care.) Self-diagnosing based on symptoms alone can be misleading and lead to unnecessary worry. 

Hang in there, and don't hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional who can provide accurate information and care tailored to your needs. You're taking the right steps by seeking answers and support.

Take care and keep us posted!

[ylu09]

Hi everyone, I have a silly question with regard to the prodrome symptom, is it possible for a prodrome symptom to last more than 3 days? Or it doe not lead to an primary outbreak? I have been experiencing shooting pain in both of my feet for more than 3 days, but I still did not experience a primary outbreak, is that normal?

[My_dog_is_hungry]

Yes. I had foot pain for 12 months after primary infection. No outbreak though. 

[Adel22]

On 7/5/2023 at 9:47 PM, ylu09 said:

Hi everyone, I have a silly question with regard to the prodrome symptom, is it possible for a prodrome symptom to last more than 3 days? Or it doe not lead to an primary outbreak? I have been experiencing shooting pain in both of my feet for more than 3 days, but I still did not experience a primary outbreak, is that normal?

Have you found out what it was ?