Herpes Diagnosed, but no sexual contact for over a year

[quite_confused]

In early Dec-07, I started having redness and itching on the glans and the prepuce, and excessive formation of smegma.  This happens to me if I haven't cleaned for a few days properly (though I normally clean everyday).  At first I thought it was one such, but when it didn't go with cleaning I showed a doctor.  He thought it was possibly a fungal infection and suggested an ointment having Clotrimazole as the active ingredient.  The redness and itching disappeared after applying for a week and so I stopped the application.  After a few days, the problem returned, this time with painful lesions.  I went to the urologist this time and he suspected HSV2.  He prescribed Acyclovir 800mg 3 times a day for 4 days, and on the 3rd day he performed a biopsy by taking a small amount of tissue from the prepuce so as to type the virus.  He also suggest IgG and IgM test.  Tests came negative.  Biopsy did not find the virus, but did note "viral cytopathological changes".  The doctor prescribed Acyclovir 400mg  3 times a day for 6 weeks.  The "infection" or whatever it was had subsided after the initial dosage of 800mg 3 times a day, but I continued the medication for the 6 weeks.  A month after stopping the medication, in late April-08, the red spots returned, though not yet painful or itchy.  I went back to the urologist.  He suspected a recurrence, and prescribed Acyclovir 400mg 3 times a day for a week.  The problem subsided and he has now prescribed a prophylactic dosage of Acyclovir 400mg 1 time daily for the next 6 months.  At random, the red spots on the glans and prepuce keep reappearing for a day or so.  The urologist claims that as long as there is no pain or itchiness, there is nothing to worry.

My points of confusion are:
1.  Is this really Herpes?  I haven't had sex since Jul-06 (it's true!) - no intercourse, no oral, no skin-contact, no nothing.  So how then can I have an HSV2 lesion in Dec-07?  I've had this discussion with my urologist, but he does not have an answer.
2.  What is the red spots that keep reappearing, and why?  
3.  The doctor says that if there are no sores, and if the IgG and IgM tests for myself and spouse are negative, we can go ahead and plan a pregnancy.  Is this correct?  Is it advisable?

All of this is quite confusing.  Answers will be greatly appreciated!

[scared_half_to_death]

If you tested negative for HSV1 and HSV2, it is really unlikely that you have herpes. (The tests are not perfect. There is a very small percentage chance.)

You should see a dermatologist and have them run viral, bacterial and fungal cultures.

[auntiejessi]

Well, I don't know what this was, but its not herpes.

Did they run a bacterial culture on it as well?

AJ

[quite_confused]

Thanks for the response.

The test report says:
HSV 1&2 IgG (ELISA) : Negative
HSV 1&2 IgM (ELISA) : Negative

I am in India and I am not aware whether the other two tests you mention are available in India or not.  At least I do know that self-administered tests are generally not avaialble (other than pregnancy and blood-sugar).  So in case any of these is self-administered, it is unlikely to be available.  I am assuming a dermatologist would be able to answer whether the test is available in India or not.  In case it is not available, what can be done?

But I am still confused about this.  With both my partner and me never having had sexual contact with any other person, how can I get infected by HSV?

[scared_half_to_death]

In some circumstances, herpes can be elusive in testing. Nail it down by...

1. Find out your exact test results. What was your HSV1 result? What was your HSV2 result?
2. In rare cases, a person can be HSV positive and not test positive. You could take a different herpes test like a Western Blot or Biokit
3. Get a culture (or ideally pcr) on the first day the lesions/redness appear

Go see a dermatologist instead of the urologist. They may be able to handle this better.

You can plan a pregnancy. However, if you have herpes and she does not, some care is required to keep her from getting infected. Discuss this with your doctor.