Herpes? or something else..

[missmandy159]

Hello,

I am wondering if it is possible that I have herpes II,  I have a sore spot (1) in the perianal area.  It is red,  and healing up, after having it for 5 days.  It doesn't hurt to urinate, or have a bowel movement, and it wasn't a blister, or a cluster.  And, I don't have swollen lymph nodes.  I went to public health, and the guy looked at it and thinks that it is a 65% chance of herpes.  he took a culture, and gave me an RX to take for 10 days. I am very worried.  I have been very stressed out, and I think thats why I am having this problem.  Is that possible?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, anal fissures can be confused with HSV, that is ther reason testing is so important.  Anal fissues are not infectious to others and heal by themselves.  EWH

[missmandy159]

Thank you for your reply.  Is an anal fissure something that herpes can be confused with?  What happens when you have these fissures?  Is it possible that showing these signs is something psycological?

I did have something similar about 8 months back.  They looked like pimple, and had a whitehead.  I popped it and it cleared up in a few days leaving a scar.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'm glad to hear that you had a culture taken from your lesion of concern. A clinical diagnosis of herpes can be very difficult and these are best evaluated with lab tests.  Alternatively, the lesion you mention could be an anal fissure or some other non-infectious problem.

I also note that earlier this year you asked another question about a vaginal lesion which you were wondering about.  All this makes me wonder whether or not you have a reason to worry about herpes or are just thinking about it and it concerns you. EWH