Question:
About 7 weeks ago, I still remember very clearly some strange symptoms that occured when I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a girl I didn't know too well. I remember the moment after I ejaculated in her, I went to use the toilet and my urination was a very long one. Not too typical even if I drank a lot of water.

I was kinda frightened because the sex was unprotected. I remember the next day I took a long hot shower. I washed my penis a lot and may have burned it in the process or not,...I don't know? Well, the next day I felt itching and burning inside the foreskin area of the penis. It was red in there too. Not very red, but more red than usual. I also noticed one very small red sore or blister on my penis near the edge of the foreskin. It was very small but I could see it. It didn't hurt or anything. I thought it was due to the hot water perhaps perhaps burning the penis.

A day later, I applied Vaseline to relieve the itching and burning. It was quite effective. After 2 days, the burning and itching was gone. I don't really know if it was due to the Vaseline relief or it had just gone on its own.

I also had some on and off inflammation of my buttocks (esp. left side) for well over 3 weeks. It's completely gone now.

For this past month I have had unexplained nerve pains on my right leg, left arm/hand. For my hand I suspect Carpal Tunnel Syndrome but have not seen a doc. yet. All this occurred a week after the sexual encounter. I am afraid I may have gotten an infection (bacterial or fungal) coupled with the immense stress and anxiety causing all these nerve pains and problems. I am overweight and they say I am more prone to these eventual nerve pains. I haven't been sleeping well lately. I am just too afraid I may have caught something.

I looked at photos of Herpes and Yeast infections online and saw that red inflammation on the men's penises looked so much just like what I got for 4 days after that last sexual encounter.

I really want to get tested for Herpes, but the clinic says it is hard when I no longer have any visible sores, blisters or difficulties during urination. They say it is best for me to wait the 3 month window period before testing for accurate results.

Can some of my problems be due to stress as well? I am still scared. Thanks.

Answer:
Similar situation for me actually. It was unprotected oral...I havent got any sores that Ive noticed but judging by all other symptoms I think it may in fact be herpes. When I went to a clinic to get checked out the doctor said some of the symptoms could easily be psychosomatic....like, probably a half hour after I left her house I was online researching symptoms of STDs because something seemed odd to me....that and I got a lot of the pain associated with herpes maybe 8 hours later. The doctor thought some of it could be mental but its hard to say.

3 months is whats advised for an antibody test, although its possible you may test after a month or two and get back positive results. Generally its better to wait it out because if you get a negative result at 1 month it doesnt mean much or give you room to breathe. If you have the resources (decent medical insurance or money for testing) and would be more comfortable getting tested sooner than 3 months for peice of mind, go for it.

Answer:
internet,

Good luck. I'll wait it out. But, for the other STDs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia we don't have to wait over a month. I have seen some photos of yeast infections (Candidas) and they look quite similar to Herpes, esp. the red inflammation near the foreskin area of the penis. I would get checked for that too just in case. But, those people at the clinic keep saying that is not a serious STD to worry about. But, infections (bacterial, fungal, viral, etc.) can cause some damage to the body in many ways. Of course, I got to worry.

Answer:
thats the plan. I got tested for Chlamydia when I went in initially...and I plan to get a herpes test around mid June.....Im also going to get an HIV test, the girl who I believe gave me herpes had one done last week and she came back negative. That really eased my mind even though the chances of getting HIV from receiving oral are pretty slim....but Im sure its happened before. The internet can be a double edged sword when it comes to things like this. On one hand theres this site which is very encouraging because theres a lot of people here who have normal relationships and dont let herpes control their lives. On the other hand, you can research and research and make yourself paranoid and convince yourself you have something much much worse than you do. I understand what you're going thru though.

Either way, the whole thing is definetly a learning experience. I feel like maybe its a slap of karma because theres probably been instances of "lovin em and leavin em" where I assumed it was just casual and the girl thought it was the start of a relationship. Either way, until June, its just me and Rosy Palm and her five sisters. :P

Answer:
internet,

Right on, bro. Good luck. You should get checked for other STDs such as Syphilis and Hepatitis B just to be sure. They too have a window period of 3 months (like Herpes). It's free at some STD clinics. In the meantime, I am going to check for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Yeast infections just to get some relief (hopefully).

I really hate these window periods.

Don't look up the Internet regarding HIV!!!!!!!!! Please don't do it.

It's going to get to your mental and physical health! Stress can do many bad things to your health in ways unimaginable. Thing is to get tested and go on with life.

Answer:
Planned Parenthood is pretty cheap. I got tested for other stuff there about a year ago and it was $70 for everything I think. Either way Im trying to not focus so much on what ifs because if I do that I'll just be paranoid until June and I'll look back and realized I wasted a lot of life worrying about stuff I have no control over. Whats done is done.

Answer:
^internet, you had to pay $70 at a planned parenthood center? I thought it was free, since they are community clinics, right? Oh well, if they check everything, I have to shed some money for my health's sake.

I am trying to stay positive too. I didn't go out with my friends on weekend nights no more after this stuff happened. I couldn't look a girl's way even if she was a perfect 10. I felt ashamed of my semen when I masturbate. I don't do it no more.

I had a panic and anxiety attack for a couple weeks. I couldn't sleep good for many nights. I felt I had let down myself and esp. my parents and family. But, fear should not rule our lives. This whole thing changed the way I look at life. I promise God I will be a more responsible and loving person to my family and my society, if I come out of this all right and fine.