For the past year, I'd been getting periodic outbreaks of oral HSV-1. Most took place inside the mouth, and were easily resolved by taking Valtrex. 5-6 weeks ago, I had an oral outbreak outside the mouth for the first time. Later that night, I also experienced a genital irritation for the first time--specifically, burning. I hadn't had any sexual contact for over a month prior, and have never in my life had unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse. Earlier in the day, however, I had popped one of the sores on my mouth, thinking it might've been a pimple, and later (more than 5-10 minutes) masturbated, likely without having washed my hands.
Rather than simply refill my prescription for Valtrex (500 mg, 3x a day, 5 days), I went to see my physician, who noticed nothing to suggest herpes, but did a blood antibody test--which came back and showed positive for HSV-1, and negative for HSV-2--and recommended that I resume taking Valtrex for the oral outbreak. The course relieved both the oral HSV and the genital HSV--however, the latter returned two days after the course had finished. I again resumed taking the same course of Valtrex for a week, to no avail. Fever, muscle (neck, back, leg), headaches, and weakness / exhaustion accompanied.
I continued taking the medicine for the following month at the same dosage, still to no avail. Since I stopped (> 1 week), symptoms progressed with new growths very small bumps exclusively around the rim of the glans, redness, and mild scaliness, and one small white bump also at the rim, which was deemed a cyst. There are also discolorations (pale patches) on the head, and some more mild irritation at the base of the shaft. I should note that all of these symptoms, save the burning, are mild. Tylenol proved to alleviate the pain, and was taken most days that month.
I've since seen a both a dermatologist and two infectious disease specialists, both of whom suggested I had dermatitis. I was prescribed a mild moisturizer and Proteque--both of which, upon application, burned and agitated the case. A DTM culture suggested a superficial fungal infection. I was then prescribed Vytone, a 1% hydrocortisone / 1% lodoquinol cream; after the first application, this is also causing a mild irritation.
I'm awaiting results from a viral culture sample of the "irregular looking" areas of my penis. My oral HSV-1 has not returned.
My questions are:
1. Given the symptoms / evidence, might I have auto-innoculated myself with HSV-1?
2. Would the dermal re-agitation caused by the creams also cause for the muscle / headaches to persist?
3. If it is a fungal infection, why might the cream burn, and why the head / muscle aches?
4. Any other suggested next steps?
Apologies for the length, but this has been a continual source of stress for far too long. Thanks for providing this service.