Aa
Anal Herpes?
Dr,
I am a bisexual male engaging in anal sex. top/btm I have had anal itching on left inner but cheek for over two and a half weeks, at first I didn't think anything of it but in the last week I started to notice some bumps forming and I got concerned. I went to the local std clinic and the nurse thought it could be anal herpes, syphilis or some other skin infection. She took a culture of the lesions. The next day after testing(today) I feel two new itchy bumps forming rather quickly closer to the anus. I do not have other symptoms other than itchy bumps/lesions.
Questions:
1.Would new herpes blisters form immediately after the others crust over? I did not notice any puss yet.
2.Does this sound like herpes infection or maybe syphillis? staff infection? etc?
3.Does it sound like I should have a blood test done?
4.I have some old cephalexin (500mg) left over from prior strep would this help if it is staff infection?
5. Note: I do shave in the anal area but it has been several weeks since that and this feels different than ingrown hairs.
Also I was tested nearly two months ago for stds and was negative with all tests. I have had partners since then though.
Thank you for your time.
I am a bisexual male engaging in anal sex. top/btm I have had anal itching on left inner but cheek for over two and a half weeks, at first I didn't think anything of it but in the last week I started to notice some bumps forming and I got concerned. I went to the local std clinic and the nurse thought it could be anal herpes, syphilis or some other skin infection. She took a culture of the lesions. The next day after testing(today) I feel two new itchy bumps forming rather quickly closer to the anus. I do not have other symptoms other than itchy bumps/lesions.
Questions:
1.Would new herpes blisters form immediately after the others crust over? I did not notice any puss yet.
2.Does this sound like herpes infection or maybe syphillis? staff infection? etc?
3.Does it sound like I should have a blood test done?
4.I have some old cephalexin (500mg) left over from prior strep would this help if it is staff infection?
5. Note: I do shave in the anal area but it has been several weeks since that and this feels different than ingrown hairs.
Also I was tested nearly two months ago for stds and was negative with all tests. I have had partners since then though.
Thank you for your time.
Yes, agreed! I will remember condoms aren't 100% safe from herpes/hpv but are the best bet.
Thank you again Dr.
Take care.
Thank you again Dr.
Take care.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Happy to hear the outcome and glad to have helped. Also happy to hear your sexual safety plans. I would add that unless and until you are in a mutually monogamous relationship, you should also plan on consistent condom use for anal sex (top or bottom) regardless of what your partners say about HIV or STD status.
Dr HHH,
Tests came back negative today from std clinic.
Since the spot/s lesions hadn't cleared or improved I went to my Dr. this morning. He diagnosed me with an infection and put me on an antibiotic as well as a cream.
I'm quite relieved to say the least.
I plan to be very careful in the future(safety and ask all partners std status) and continue my regular check-ups every 6 months to a year. I'll keep in mind asymptomatic possibilities too.
Thank you again.
Tests came back negative today from std clinic.
Since the spot/s lesions hadn't cleared or improved I went to my Dr. this morning. He diagnosed me with an infection and put me on an antibiotic as well as a cream.
I'm quite relieved to say the least.
I plan to be very careful in the future(safety and ask all partners std status) and continue my regular check-ups every 6 months to a year. I'll keep in mind asymptomatic possibilities too.
Thank you again.
I'll call the clinic in the morning and see what they say.
From what I read oral hsv 1 is less likely to occur below the waist. If I had herpes before the rimming is it possible that hsv 2 could pass during rimming.
This is a terrible feeling.
I'll let you know the results. Thank you Dr.
From what I read oral hsv 1 is less likely to occur below the waist. If I had herpes before the rimming is it possible that hsv 2 could pass during rimming.
This is a terrible feeling.
I'll let you know the results. Thank you Dr.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It would be a good idea for the new lesions to be professionally examined if they weren't present during your initial evaluation. Your clinician likely would agree; try to be seen tomorrow. Early HSV lesions generally are more "typical" in appearance, so a visual diagnosis may be more reliable, and a fresh vesicle (blister) -- if that's what you have -- is generally the best site for a culture or PCR test, so maybe she'll take another specimen.
In terms of your exposures, it seems either is a possible source. HSV can be transmitted despite condoms, because of viral shedding/exposure above the condom, and analingus (rimming) can transmit oral herpes. There's no reason to suspect a partner was untruthful; asymptomatic infections are common, as I'm sure you know.
In terms of your exposures, it seems either is a possible source. HSV can be transmitted despite condoms, because of viral shedding/exposure above the condom, and analingus (rimming) can transmit oral herpes. There's no reason to suspect a partner was untruthful; asymptomatic infections are common, as I'm sure you know.
Thank you for the quick response doctor. The first partner I met twice once was protected the second was unprotected but I noticed the itching by the second time( as I mentioned I didn't think much about it then) I asked him and he said he was clean/neg. Maybe he doesn't know or is lying?
Second partner was oral and some rimming no anal. He also said he was clean. Since rimming was involved I'm worried.
The test was for herpes only as far as I know. The nurse said she will test for everything after results are in.
Test will be in Wed or Thursday next week. Should I go back and get the new lesions tested tomorrow?
Second partner was oral and some rimming no anal. He also said he was clean. Since rimming was involved I'm worried.
The test was for herpes only as far as I know. The nurse said she will test for everything after results are in.
Test will be in Wed or Thursday next week. Should I go back and get the new lesions tested tomorrow?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum.
Based on your threads a few years ago, you've been worried about herpes (maybe overly so) for a long time. I hope it hasn't come true. However, from your description, herpes does seem possible, especially since your nurse clinician apparently suspects it. Syphils seems less likely, but it's certainly possible. Have you spoken with your two recent partners, especially if one or both topped you? With or without a condom?
OTOH, ths may be no STD at all -- as you suggest, maybe a staph or other non-STD skin infection. In any case, the answer may come with the culture test that was done. Presumably it was a herpes culture, yes? Perhaps also for staph and related bacteria? Did you have rectal swabs to check for chlamydia and gonorrhea? Probably they did a blood test for syphilis as well; if not, discuss it with the nurse when the culture result is available. In the meantime, I would encourage you not to speculate too much, when a definitive answer may be available soon.
Those comments address question 2, the most important one. To the others:
1) Initial herpes can have repeated crops of new lesions every few days for up to 2-3 weeks.
3) Assuming the culture was for HSV, wait for the result. If negative, a blood test might be a good idea.
4) DO NOT TAKE CEPHALEXIN OR ANY ANTIBIOTIC! It would potentially screw up a diagnosis of syphilis and other STDs, and in any case is the wrong drug for any of the likely causes of this problem. However, you might speak with the nurse clinician about whether you should be starting an HSV drug like valacyclovir. That's the usual approach if herpes is strongly suspected, without waiting for test results.
5) Your last shave was too long ago to be a factor in this.
Fill in the information about your partners and tests. After that, I'll be interested in the outcome as your test results become available.
Best regards-- HHH, MD
Based on your threads a few years ago, you've been worried about herpes (maybe overly so) for a long time. I hope it hasn't come true. However, from your description, herpes does seem possible, especially since your nurse clinician apparently suspects it. Syphils seems less likely, but it's certainly possible. Have you spoken with your two recent partners, especially if one or both topped you? With or without a condom?
OTOH, ths may be no STD at all -- as you suggest, maybe a staph or other non-STD skin infection. In any case, the answer may come with the culture test that was done. Presumably it was a herpes culture, yes? Perhaps also for staph and related bacteria? Did you have rectal swabs to check for chlamydia and gonorrhea? Probably they did a blood test for syphilis as well; if not, discuss it with the nurse when the culture result is available. In the meantime, I would encourage you not to speculate too much, when a definitive answer may be available soon.
Those comments address question 2, the most important one. To the others:
1) Initial herpes can have repeated crops of new lesions every few days for up to 2-3 weeks.
3) Assuming the culture was for HSV, wait for the result. If negative, a blood test might be a good idea.
4) DO NOT TAKE CEPHALEXIN OR ANY ANTIBIOTIC! It would potentially screw up a diagnosis of syphilis and other STDs, and in any case is the wrong drug for any of the likely causes of this problem. However, you might speak with the nurse clinician about whether you should be starting an HSV drug like valacyclovir. That's the usual approach if herpes is strongly suspected, without waiting for test results.
5) Your last shave was too long ago to be a factor in this.
Fill in the information about your partners and tests. After that, I'll be interested in the outcome as your test results become available.
Best regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
