STD Tests Negative - What Could it Be?

[rjsmitty]

So a few weeks back I had an encounter with a woman that I really shouldn't have slept with, but I had a moment of weakness. It was protected sex, but we know that Herpes can be transmitted by skin to skin contact.

I originally had symptoms of a UTI right after the encounter, but tests a few days after for chlamydia, gonorrhea and a UTI came back negative. Shortly after the test results, I started experiencing herpes symptoms, itching/tingling, but around most of my body (back, thighs, even chest, and arms a bit) and what looked like pimples on my thighs, no clusters, just a few here and there. Went to the doctor, and visually he said it looks like folliculitis and not herpes, but to be sure he took blood tests to ran a gamut of STD tests. This was probably 9 or 10 days after the exposure, so I know it's early. Test results came back a few days ago and everything was negative, including an IgM test of 0.33; though I know this test is considered to be the less meaningful, but this early on to a possible exposure, the doc felt it's the most applicable.

As of late, I am experiencing discomfort on the head of my penis, it seems to get a little sore, or red, if I masturbate, so I've stopped doing that to see how I feel. I still get the slight sensation of itchiness/soreness once in a while. It's a mild discomfort I would say, but it's definitely there, and my fears of herpes are starting to come up again, but also wondering if it's not herpes, what could it be? It's been like this on and off for a week maybe, I'm not sure how long, but would like to know what it could be.

Appreciate any advice that may be provided and I do plan on getting retested in early September for everything again.

I wanted to add that I used a condom during this encounter, and prior to that I hadn't used condoms in many years as I was in a monogamous relationship and tested a few times (negative each time). The other day I also tried out a new condom during masturbating and that's when I noticed that my penis tip was red and irritated. Not saying it's a condom allergy, but just wanted to add this information.

[HolisticGirl]

You are right....it is too early after exposure to get an accurate blood test....your body needs time to develope antibodies (this is what the test detects). From what I have heard IgM tests are useless...IgG is a much better test.

So this is my advice to you....next time you get a sore or another pimple like sore....tell the doctor you want a swab (PCR) test. But swab tests are most accurate during the first few days of breakout before the virus goes back into hiding and is active on the skin.

Not that you studied this girls private parts....but did you notice anything that might have been odd? For you to catch it with a condom....i would think she had to be in an active outbreak making it very contagious (that is how I got it....I was using a condom but he was in an active breakout that we thought was razor drag...he didn't know he had it) I also noticed you said you shouldn't have had sex with her....do you already know she has herpes?

[rjsmitty]

No, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary when I was with her on her skin. She said she was std free, but again, who really knows. I'm a paranoid individual, so I'm hoping all is well, but do my symptoms sound like herpes? I've yet to see what would likely be a blister from all the pictures I've seen online and my symptoms have been pretty mild. Thanks.

[rjsmitty]

I'm really stressed out from this and not sure what to do at this point. Any suggestions on what to do so early on? I'm also quite irritated right now, could be cause of stress levels and/or being out in the sun yesterday for quite a while contributing to what could be folliculitis. My back and front of my thighs are probably the most irritated right now

[HolisticGirl]

The mind is very powerful. Great healers believe the body can be healed by deep meditation and healing thoughts. So with that being said....stressing yourself out can cause all kinds of issues with the body. My sister once thought she had cancer and stressed herself out so bad her hair actually started to fall out. I have a close friend that I think he may be doing the same thing stressing out about a certain health issue and actually making it worse by the stress.

You could even have another form of STD...if you got tested too soon...the STD test won't be accurate. I have heard it suggested to wait 10-14 days to get tested as most have about that amount of incubation period. So may be just a round of antibiotics.

I have a rather personal question. Was there any oral sex involved? Did you "rub" personal parts prior to suiting up?

If you really want to set your mind at ease...when another sore/pimple pops up (even on your thigh) insist the doctor do a swab test. And even if there is no sores on the top of your penis....if there is any kind of redness or skin irritation they should still be able to do a swab test. If it is herpes...it will be on the skin surface....you just have to get it done ASAP. If you are worried about your doctor thinking you are overly paranoid....don't worry about it. It isn't his penis or his life...he is your doctor and you are the patient so his job is to make sure you are comfortable with his diagnosis and you have a right to push until you are. He WORKS for you....you pay him for his services.

Also, not that I know your situation... But I get this instinct feeling that for some reason you have guilt for having sex with this girl....that can cause extreme stress too.

[rjsmitty]

I don't think testing again so soon will produce anything different, but I guess I'll have to consider it... I really do pray it's in my head, but I do think there's something there that may not be an STD as my (upper) back is irritated quite a bit at times, though I see no real signs on my back. The symptoms come and go throughout the day, would that even be possible with a herpes OB?

There was oral sex involved, but it was with a condom on and no personal parts were rubbed before suiting up.

I guess I will strongly look at getting a swab test done next time I see something, I wasn't aware that the simple redness on my penis could be swabbed, that only seems to happen though after touching myself, and I haven't done so in a while, and really have no drive to these days.

I absolutely feel guilty about this, I know it was a mistake, but I had ended a long relationship recently and was in a really bad place and made the mistake of having a one night stand with a complete stranger, which I've never done before.

Thanks again for all your feedback, it helps talking about this.

[rjsmitty]

Now my anxiety is getting even worse; last night my lower thighs were irritated that I had a tough time sleeping for a while.

My back is still hot, but not as bad, and I do feel stinging there, but more like when a hair is growing into something.

My butt got a little tingly today as well, but I'm not sure if all this is anxiety, or actual symptoms.

I have an appointment at planned parenthood on Monday to see a clinician to discuss my symptoms and possible test again. Hopefully they can clearly tell what it is from looking at the few pimples I have on my body...

This sure is tough to deal with.

[WilsoInAus]

There is no suspicion that herpes is involved here. This is a very common experience for those stressing over herpes, definitely happened to me.

Much of this sounds stress related, please try to relax and redirect your focus.

[rjsmitty]

I pray you're right, but as I was cleaning up down there before bed, I noticed a lot of bumps on my scrotum, scared me to death, but explains why I feel irritated down there. Could be skin irritation or an ob, ugh.