Herpes or Yeast? Please Help Me.

[worriedguy83]

I am a 27 YO circum male. I have a long term GF of 4 years. At 17, I was diagnosed with “herpes gladiatorum”, with no serologic test.  On Oct 6, I had an unprotected one night stand and washed.  On the evening of Oct 8, I had unprotected sex with my GF and did not wash.  I feel terrible.  On Oct 11, I felt minor itching on one spot on my scrotum. This looked like slightly red,dry skin and itching was mild at best.  Over the next several days, there seemed to be some spreading of the affected area to my shaft.  The skin was a little bit more red and was more wrinkled than normal.  When the skin was stretched you could see shiny “lines” in the creases where my skin typically folds.  My glans was unaffected and nothing was painful to touch.  I saw no spots or blisters through magnifying glass use.
at the time, my GF mentioned to me that she had developed a yeast infection, which is common 4her. We both took  Diflucan and our symptoms cleared up by day 3/4 after taking the first pill. I was tested, but not for HSV. The doctor briefly inspected my genitals but did not see anything of concern (or look too closely)
Then Nov 5, I developed a sensitive/raw spot on the side of my shaft- not really visible – maybe there was a little redness, but not much.  A couple of days later, immediately after condom sex, the spot did not feel any different (still maybe a little tingly and noticeable feeling), but after showering and looking close, it looked like there was a tiny non-raised spot where the top layer of skin looked like it was eaten away. This spot disappeared in 2 days, however, the sensation has not.  
Since I didn’t have a classic HSV2 attack I thought I was fine.  after research, I realize that since I’ve already had herpes gladiatorum (presumably HSV-1) if I did get HSV-2, the symptoms would be significantly milder, and possibly asymptomatic! On the other hand, the diflucan seemed to solve the problem initially. and I'm beyond the typical incubation period. Please Help

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

It might, yes.  You could give it a try.

This will be my last post on this thread.

Terri

[worriedguy83]

Hi Terri,

Based on your recommendation, I went in for Herpeselect on day 37 (after the day of potential infection) the and tested at 2.44 for HSV-1, and "<0.91" for HSV-2 - they didn't give me a specific number for HSV-2, just that it was negative at <0.91 . . . .  This probably doesn't tell me too much though I guess.  Are there any known factors that impact a persons antibody production like age or gender or anything?

I was thinking of trying a topical monistat product given my early negative results.  Might this potentially make herpes worse if thats actually what it is?

Thanks for your help,

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I was wondering if it was typed, and if so, which type, and where it was located.  That would just help me help you sort this out.  If you do indeed have HSV 1 infection already, then it might take a little longer to make antibody to HSV 2.  If you are worried about HSV 2 specifically, I would wait 16 weeks from the encounter to test with the most accuracy.  At about 6 weeks, you will get 70% accuracy, if you want to test sooner for some information about your status.

Terri

[worriedguy83]

Terri,

You asked me about Herpes Gladiatorum, and if I was swabbed and typed.  Was there a reason you asked me this?  Do you have any feedback for me based on my response?  What about my question regarding the time frames for the incubation period or your opinion on how soon after infection I should get the test?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Azo tablets are useful for treating UTI symptoms, not yeast.  Topical monitstat is just fine for yeast.    I don't think there is any harm or help in taking Lysine or Vitamin C

Terri

[worriedguy83]

A quick follow-up comment:  I have been taking about 5 grams of Vitamin C daily this month just today I started taking 5 grams of Lysine daily, just in case.  

I've also been taking 3 of these "AZO Yeast" tablets daily that are supposed to treat yeast infection symptoms, and I've been using baby powder constantly to keep everything dry.  I understand that I shouldn't apply hydrocortisone because it could exacerbate herpes if thats what I have, and I didn't want to use topical monistat for the same reason.  Does all of this sound OK? Do you have any recommendations regarding self-medication while I still don't know what I have?

Again, thanks so much for helping me get my head straight about all this.

[worriedguy83]

Terri, thank you so much for your response!

An update on my condition,  my shaft is still sensitive, but the feeling is not in a very specific place - even upon touching the skin, its tough to tell specifically where the sensation is.  visibly, I suppose that the skin on the left side (the affected side) doesn't quite have the same sheen/glossy appearance when I stretch it out as the skin on the other side, but the difference may not even be noticeable - I don't know how reliable my perception is.  Does this tell you anything?  Is there anything in specific that I should be on the lookout for?

Its frustrating, but I just don't recall if a swab was done or not.  I don't believe so.  I was wrestling in a tournament at the time and a doctor was confident enough to come out of the crowd to tell me about it.  I was removed from the tournament and I did go to the doctor's office for a visit.  I can also tell you that I do recall a time when I had a recurrence several years later.  The rash was on my forehead in the same place as before when I was initially diagnosed.  All that said, I don't recall that I was specifically told that it was HSV-1, but that has been my understanding.  At the time, I thought that the doctor had referred to it as "herpes simplex A", which I don't think makes much sense . . .

Today is the 36th day since I was potentially exposed.  That means that the "second issue" described previously began on about the 30th day.  Can I take any solace at all in the fact that the typical incubation period had passed?  or maybe nonprimary incubation periods are longer (I couldn't find any reputable opinions on this) . . . or could it be that I indeed acquired HSV-2 initially but it spread to a different location already?  I've been going crazy over this.

  I understand that Herpeselect wants 12 to 16 weeks for an accurate test.  I also understand that this time frame could be longer regarding a nonprimary infection.  I have also read that It might be worthwhile to get a test at 6 weeks.  What do you think?

Again, thank you so much for your help!  I am so grateful for this opportunity to discuss this with you.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The first issue you described did sound like yeast on your penis.  The second one is a bit more worrisome.  If I were you, I would get an antibody test for HSV 2 and see where you actually stand.  

When you were diagnosed with herpes gladitorium, was a swab test done?  Do you know if it was typed?

Terri

[worriedguy83]

Worriedguy83 again.  I ran out of characters and was not able to fully express my appreciation for any feedback you might be able to give me.  I feel so worthless and terrible about what I have done, I could really use any comments you have for me at all whether reassuring or otherwise.  Any expert advice or recommendations would be wonderful.

Thanks!