Male Yeast Infection or Herpes?

[turnermatt]

Hi,

I am a 22 year old uncircumsized male.  I had unprotected sex with a female who I did not know very well 19 days ago (Saturday).  I felt some minor itching around the head of my penis and decided to go in for an STD urine test on the Wednesday.  During the week while waiting for the test results to come back, I experienced slight burning while urination, a slight burning around the head of my penis after ejaculation, a red rash under the foreskin, slight itching on my scrotum and very itchy around my rectum.  Eventually after about 5 days the burning subsided, but the itching persisted.  I did not experience any fever or swollen glands during that time.  

The test came back the following Friday as negative for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.  I told the GP about the symptoms I'd had over the past week and he subscribed Lamisil Cream with 1% terbinafine HCl.  Saying that it sounded like a yeast infection.

Upon examining myself and doing some research online, it appears as though I have some Fordyce spots on under my foreskin in various patches (white, small raised bumps, that are not painful/itchy).  But I did not notice them before, I know I might have always had them,  Also, either the growth or presence of more sebaceous glands on the shaft of my penis are more prominent now than before.  Could these, along with the Fordyce spots be a sign of something or a mere coincidence?

I am still concerned about herpes.  Coming from Canada, I have read there is no Herpeselect test here.  And I have also read that some people carry it without experiencing any symptoms.  Also, are lesions extremely painful, or is it just the visual presence that are a sign of herpes?

Also, given the time that has elapsed (19 days), is it possible that I may still have a herpes outbreak?  I have read that sometimes yeast infections are caused by an STD

If I do not have one, is it possible for me to somehow diagnose that I do have it?  

I am asking this because I am concerned about inadvertently passing it on to a partner of mine in the future without ever knowing I had it, and I would hate to have that on my conscience when something could have been done about it.

Thank you

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The incubation period for newly-developed herpes is a few days, not 19.  A first attack of herpes presents as high fever, swollen glands, and a lot of pain.  Therefore, I see no reason on clinical grounds to suspect herpes.  The Fordyce spots, which your description indeed sounds like, have probably always been there, but you didn't look hard at them until this episode concerned you enough to do so.  If you're still anxious, you can do a type-specific herpes 2 test in 3 months.  Such tests are indeed available in the US.

None of the symptoms you describe sound much like yeast either.  Irritation seems more likely.  I doubt that you have to do anything at this point.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Pat0407]

To any doctor or anyone who can help me i have a question. It's been about a month since i have seen like 2 little white circles internally through my penis head and in the sunlight its like a brown line going down on the penis head next to the little white circles. My Primary physician gave me some miconaloze nitrate. I've honestly had this for about a month...they gave me the cream on nov 16 so i been on it for 11 days and its gotten slightly better and itches once in a while. I am almost postive it isnt herpes for i have already done my HSV1 and hSV2 tests about 3 times lol:) including the IGG and igm so what else can this be?????. And if in fact it really is a yeast like my docs say WHY IS IT TAKING SOOO LONG TO HEAL!?!

[Pat0407]

Hey turner! whats up buddy whoa u have the exact same thing i have man....its crazy i also am a 22 yrold uncircumsized male  and ive had those little white bumps on the corona of my penis since i was a child...but i also woke up like 4 weeks ago with a burning sensation when i urinated ,turned out to be NGU. I took Doxycycline to cure it but i still have like a tiny little red rash barely visible and like i see 2 little white circles like internally on my penis head they gave ''Miconazole Nitrate''. I've been on the cream for 5 days now. I also had a tender feeling on my right teste. I got scared but thnk God i did an Ultrasound on it and everything was negative it was just a bit swollen either do to the NGU or a pulled groin they gave me some anti-swelling and pain killer antibiotics. Havent had any tender pain no more. Don;t worry man have faith you're ok. Herpes symtoms by like 4 weeks are alot worse aready and quite painful just be careful out there man. ! God bless you!

[jla993]

I was just checking to see if there was any sort of update in regards to this inquiry.  I have experienced so much of the same symptoms (except the burning near the rectum and have seen no rash that I can recall).  I am currently waiting to hear back on the results of a blood test.  My biggest concern is herpes as well.  If you can give a follow up turnermatt, I would appreciate it.

p.s. I hope everything turned out in your favor.