Condoms are safe sex. What you describe does not sound like HSV (or HPV) bu thtere is no substitute for an examination. The purple color often represents the presence of blood vessels. What really must be done however is to have a qualified professional take a look. I am sure you can find someone. EWH
Doc there was penetration with the use of condom. I know condom sex is generally safe sex but any chance? The reason I ask is that this morning, i used a magnifying mirror and looked as far in as possible and noticed it looked very purple inside along with possible white patches under the skin. Is purple normal? I know we said that what ever is has stayed along for a long time so wondering if it could be related to something else like HPV. Even though I am out of the country I am looking to find a doc I can visit in person. If at all possible I would like your thoughts if not i will let you know what the doc says. Thanks again for your time and patience.
Yes, it is possible for herpes infection to occur inside of the recutrn HOWEVER herpes is transmitted by direct contact. No penetration, no internal infection.
You are correct, if your irritation was a recurrent outbreak of herpes it would be expected to last less than a week. The prolonged duration of your discomfort also makes HSV less likely. EWH
Doc one last follow-up and I will let you go. I know that i am asking you do assist in something very hard. Make a prediction on something you can not see.
correct, I do not see any type of blisters or open sores outside the anus. Is it possible they could develop inside or is that not normal?
Secondly, the last time that I really noticed soreness down there was Oct 5. i was on vacation and walking alot. At the end of the day the area was very red and irriated. It is now one month and 2 days later and still irritated. If herpes would this go along with an out break if i contacted it 18 months ago. I figured by now outbreaks would be shorter. Thanks again for you time. promise not to bother you again.
The absence of sores makes herpes less likely, as does the fact that your symptoms have been there nearly constantly. Irrespective, what needs to be done is that you need to see a helath care provider to really sort out what is happening. EWH
Doctor thanks for your response. I was afraid of the possibility of herpes. Would it be normal for the anal discharge and redness/irritation to occur 5 weeks after exposure? Also, the area was defiantely rubbed but also i did not see any sores on my partner. Does that mean anything? To date, the anal area is red but I see no sores. Would sores be seen if herpes or could they be under the skin? Seems weird that for the last 18 months the sympoms have been pretty much constant.
Also it seems that when I am on my feet for long periods of time i feel something, hard to discribe, a growth or some thing blocking my anus with a pain in my testicle. not sure if this means anything.
Thanks again
Welcome to our forum. I will try to help and provide some perspective but really, now a year and a half since your exposures, if there is still a problem you should seek the evaluation of an experienced clinician who can take a look and give you more information based on his/her examination than I can provide over the internet. To give you my thoughts however:
1. The exposure you describe is low risk for most STDs since there was no penetration. The exception would be infections and processes that can be transmitted by direct contact and without penetration. The major sexually transmitted illness that does come to mind in this way is herpes. The fact that the irritation is present "at time" makes this a possibility as well. The only reliable way to know if this is contributing to your symptoms is to get a PCR or culture test taken with a swab the next time it occurs. (A blood test might tell you if you have HSV or not but will not tell you whether your rectal irritation is related to your infection or not)
2. HSV is the major STD that your description brings to mind. Other STDs are less likely. I suppose a yeast infection could do this. So could more common problems however like hemorrhoids ot rectal fissures. Sorting this out could best be accomplished with a visit to a proctologist when the symptoms are present.
As for your specific questions:
1. Biaxin is effective therapy for chlamydia and has some activity against other bacterial STDs such as gonorrhea but the effectiveness is not 100%. Biaxin, through its effect on normal bacteria, can predispose persons to yeast infections.
2. Herpes is a possibility but so are other processes. As I said before, I would suggest seeing a proctologist.
3. As I said above, this could still be hemorrhoids.
4. See above. Cancer in not likely to be a consideration.
5. Excess weight can predispose to irritation and chaffing. Again, to sort things out, you should be seen.
I hope these comments provide you with some appreciation of the complexity of what is going on. It may well have nothing to do with your exposures a year and a half ago. Please let us know what the proctologist says. EWH