Is this herpes?

[patro635]

On the 24th of December, i saw a red dot on my penis.  Being uncircumcised, and having had a fungal infection before, I assumed it was that.  Started taking Itraconazole, an oral anti fungal med, as well as applying clotrimazole,  which is a cream.  I did this for a week, and then spots just about disappeared.  Two days later they were back, so I went to see a doctor.  He said it appears to be fungal, prescribed Fluconazole, another anti fungal med, and I took those for 3 days, as well as continuing you with the cream.  Once again, after about a week, red spots were all but gone.  On the eighth day, I was cleaning, preparing to put on cream, used a baby wipe, and everything became super red, and the red dots came back.  Started freaking out, searched the internet, most people said to just leave it alone. This was a big mistake, two days later, the two spots were back, and now had like some white substance on top.  After, I then got what appears to be balanitis.  Under the head red blotches formed, and more red dots on head.  Went to another Dr, he said it didn't really appear to be fungal in nature, but that I definitely had balanitis.  Under foreskin, lesions were producing a white substance, and it was some wet, sticky substance.  Doctor prescribed lotriderm, and have been on that since.  Took a STD test on the 9th of Jan, almost a full 10 weeks from my last sexual encounter, both HSV 1 and 2 came back negative.  

My question is, does this sound like herpes, or is just a real nasty fungal infection.  Never had any blisters per se, they were more like little ulcers or lesions. Also lesions were not painful, I could touch them, area was very sensitive though. Have been on Lotriderm for a week now, and original two dots on head are just about gone, red blotches under foreskin are still there, but look a little better, and no longer have discharge.  I am also experiencing some tingling in buttocks, and legs, but not sure if it is just from stress. Thanks.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Did this doctor look at the lesions only and tell you he thought it was herpes?  Did he do swab testing from the area?

Terri

[patro635]

Hi Terri, took another exam today, 15 weeks and one day from last sexual experience, both IGG, type one and two, once again it came back negative, went to see another doctor, and first thing he said it was herpes.  He didn't even ask for a history, or what I had been doing for the past six weeks.  So still worried, just going to wait until 6 months to be absolutely sure I'm negative. For now going to continue treatment for fungal infection.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If you received oral sex from someone while using a condom, I am not worried about you contracting herpes from that experience.

Terri

[patro635]

Hi Terri, and thank you for responding. Those tiny little ulcers are exactly what i am experiencing, but only under foreskin.  First were the two red spots, on the head, those have been on and off for over 5 weeks now. The ulcers did not appear until  almost 4 weeks after red spots appeared, and only after I stopped putting the cream on.  Just for info, last sexual contact was Oct 24, and it was safe oral sex. After no symptoms until Dec. 24 when red spot first appeared.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

No, it doesn't sound much like genital herpes but it does indeed sound like a persistent antifungal infection.  When you describe the little ulcers, that could happen from a fungal infection.  But I suppose there is a remote chance it could be herpes, though really unlikely.  Fungal infections that persist, particularly under a foreskin, can certainly cause little tiny ulcers.  Does that sound like something you are experiencing?  I'm also wondering about bacterial infection.  Do you know if any cultures for anything were taken from the red area?  Is the red area itchy?  I think your doctor is in the best position to determine what's going on here.  I can see how frustrating this all is for you.  I hope you can get this resolved as quickly as possible.

Terri