HELP! Genital Herpes?

[George48]

I am a healthy 19 year old sexually active male with a serious concern of herpes (who always wears condoms). About 3 weeks ago (july 2nd) i noticed a red sore on the right side of my penis. This sore is thick and round and is surrounded by hair follicles, its size is approx 1 cm wide. A couple days after this, i consulted with my doctor who visually examined the sore and concluded that it did not look of anything herpes like. I went foward with blood testing for HIV, Hepititis, a culture swab/chlamydia test, and VDRL test which all came out negative. My doctor prescribed me fucidin cream on july 14th, but this did not help at all so i discontinued use. I went to another MD at a walk in clinic who also visually examined the sore, and said it looked like a genital ulcer. After closer examination, i noticed white cluster dots in the middle of the shaft, which i am sure have always been there but now there seems to be more, specifically one large dot. I went back to my doctor today, and was referred to a dermatologist who would conclude any suspicions. My symptoms include headaches sometimes, burning sensation during urination and soft testes sometimes. If anyone can help me out here i would greatly appreciate because it has been boggling my mind all the time, and depressing me.

[Emma_08]

If you still have the sore, it is not herpes.  Herpes lesions always heal within 1-2 weeks and symptoms completely go away until the next outbreak.  In the future, if you ever get a suspicious sore, I would recommend getting a viral culture done - it is the most accurate herpes testing, but can only be done when a genital ulcer is present (also, the sooner the better -- once sores start to heal, there is a greater chance of a false negative).  My advice would be to see the dermatologist to figure out what is going on.  
Good luck,
Em

[George48]

Thank you for your quick response!

[slacker101]

It doesn't sound like herpes. the ulcer thing had me concerned but when a Dr says it looks like an ulcer and doesn't know that it is a ulcer, I question why he doesn't know for sure if it IS an ulcer. The length of time it has been there, it isn't herpes!! What exactly did this look like when you first noticed it and how has this evolved since noticing it?

[George48]

Well, the ulcer/lesion started out as a raw red bump and over time i constantly looked at it every time i urinated and very often picked at it. Its pretty big, and when i try to pop it, sometimes it either secretes a clear liquid or somtimes a white puss, either dry or wet. Its red when i don't have an erection but when i do have one it becomes white coloured. Its also painful and irritating. Its been 22 days and it doesnt seem like its going away! I went to my MD and he inspected once again today, and prescribed me Hyderm + Ratio- Nystatin, an anti-fungal cream. I have an appointment with a dermatologist on the 19th of august, but im traveling for two weeks very soon. I want this to disappear and i have given it time, but pickin at it may have prolonged the process. Although even when i do not pick at it (5 days), it remains the same equivalent size. Can anyone please give me guidance as to what this may be? You have all been very supportive, and i appreciate the mental and emotional value of this amazing website.

[auntiejessi]

It needs to be cultured.  If its bacterial in nature, you need an antibiotic, not an antifungal.

It sounds like it could be staph.

Aj

[George48]

I was prescribed on July 14th Fucidin, an antibiotic ointment which did not seem to do anything so i stopped taking it. What is staph?

[auntiejessi]

Staph is a bacterial infection, and might need more than a topical cream, although I would expect you would have had some improvement if it was staph - hard to say.

Aj

[George48]

The sore has decreased in size by only a 1mm or so. This is after 2 application of the cream, and it has turned into a sore crater with a tiny dot in the middle. It still feels raw and is painful when i touch it. Any insight as to what is happening after such a long and continuing 23 day period???

[auntiejessi]

Did you have a syphilis test?

Other than that, I have no idea.

Aj

[auntiejessi]

Sorry - I just saw that you had the VDRL.  How long after your last possible exposure (the last time you had sex or oral sex) did you have that done?

Aj

[George48]

It was 3 months ago man

[auntiejessi]

Oh then that's accurate - no worries about syphilis.

[George48]

After applying the anti-fungal cream for 2 days, the sore has significantly decreased in size. Its become smaller and seems to be drying out or "dying"....there is a white scab in the middle. Could a fungal infection be what i was suffering from..?