anal herpes but no genital?

i am a male in my 20s and wondering if it is possible to get anal herpes but have no symptons/signs of genital herpes? i've never been tested, so for all i know i could have genital herpes too (just never had a sign or outbreak) but recently i have been constipated more often than not, have noticed occasional blood on the toiler paper after wiping, and bloody discharge in the toilet after passing. this seems like it could just be hemmroids, and upon examining my anal area in the mirror, this is all it seems like (swollen, puffy area around the anus...not little blisters like it seems herpes would be?). it's never really been painful, just once or twice while having a bowel movement. i've never shown a sign of genital herpes so it seems strange that anal herpes would be present...is this even possible? i've never performed/received anal sex but i've had unprotected sex with three female partners in the last year so this is what is worrying me. i've also had minor cold sores around my lips, but they seemed more like pimples than herpes...it wasn't a cluster of them, it was one or two, and often they had whiteheads so i assume i am being paranoid? i've had mild face acne since i was 13 (over 10 years) so i'm not sure. obviously going to a doctor is on my priority list at this poin, but until then, it would be nice to get any useful information possible. thank you.

[Anonymous5443]

also, of the 3 partners that i've had sex with, i've probably had sex a total of 20 times. none showed any signs of an outbreak. while we're on the subject, what are the odds of a male receiving it from a female partner who has it (with no signs of an outbreak but without using a condom?)

[petal130]

"Anal" herpes would in fact be genital herpes. Genital herpes occurs from the entire anogenital area, not just the penis or vagina. So even if you had vaginal sex with someone who has herpes and they transmitted it to you, your outbreak could be anywhere in the "boxer short" area.

What you're describing though does not sound like herpes - a bit of blood from constipation/straining is so very common. From WebMD:
"Many people have small amounts of rectal bleeding. Irritation of the rectum from diarrhea or constipation, a small hemorrhoid, or an anal fissure can cause a small amount of bright red blood on the surface of the stool or on the toilet paper. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures usually occur after straining during a bowel movement because of constipation."

What you think might be cold sores could very well be - or they could be pimples as you're unsure - the only way to truly know would require a swab/culture of an active sore, and/or an IgG type specific blood test.

Oral herpes is incredibly common. About half the folks your age have it.

[Anonymous5443]

thanks so much for the fast reply.

i always assumed genital herpes would show up in the genital area and not the anal area.

typically, if you have sex with someone who is infected and they trasmit it to you, how long does it take to show up? i know that some people have no signs of ever showing it, but typically? also, what are the odds of a male receiving it from a female partner who has it (with no signs of an outbreak but without using a condom?) i'm sure it all differs but are there any estimated statistics?

thanks again

[petal130]

Typically symptoms will appear 2-20 days after the virus is transmitted.

Here are odds based on female to male transmission of genital herpes.

FEMALE TO MALE RATE OF TRANSMISSION (HSV2 ONLY STATS IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR HSV1)

If you have 100 couples where the female has HSV2 but not the male (these figures are over a year) the odds of female to male transmission are, if you do nothing other than avoid sex during an outbreak, 4 men out of a 100 will get herpes in a year, or 4%. If you do go on a suppressive therapy then it drops to 2 men out of a 100 in a year, or 2%. And if you use suppressive and a condom the chances are 1 man out of a 100 will get herpes in one year or 1%.

The Valtrex and transmission study stats are based on having sex 2 times/week.

[gracefromHHP]

If you don't get regularly tested for herpes, why not get a type specific herpes igg blood test now while it's on your mind?  Then you can cross it off your to worry about list right?

Your symptoms sound like a hemorrhoid.  You need to take steps to eliminate your constipation as well as treat the hemorrhoids. The otc prep H type suppositories help a lot as do tucks pads to help reduce anal swelling and itching and stop the bleeding.  Start taking a stool softener like colace 2x/day as well as start on a fiber supplement like benefiber or metamucil or something. Also drink more water so that all the fiber in those products can absorb liquid and make you have more regular stools.

So now that we've talked about your hiney and your bowel habits with several thousand people this morning....he he he

grace