Anal herpes is when the viral infection of herpes affects the anus. Herpes can cause blisters and sores around the mouth, genitals, buttocks, or anus.
Herpes does not always cause symptoms. When it does, people with anal herpes may notice blisters or sores in or around their anus. Because the symptoms are similar, people may confuse anal herpes with hemorrhoids or syphilis.
In this article, we give an overview of anal herpes, including how to identify and diagnose the condition, treatment for it, and how to reduce the risk of infection.
The herpes simplex virus causes all types of herpes. It can be transmitted between people through physical contact.
Sexual contact is often how genital herpes, including anal herpes, is transmitted. Because of this, healthcare professionals refer to them as sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There are two kinds of herpes virus:
- herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1, which primarily affects the mouth
- herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2, which mostly affects the genitals and anus
HSV-2 causes most instances of anal herpes in humans. The virus spreads through sexual contact with an individual who has the infection.
The World Health Organization estimates that
Many people do not experience symptoms immediately, and the infection can go undetected for years. Even if people have no symptoms, the virus can transmit from them to others.
- persistent pain or itching around the anus
- inflamed bumps or colorless, painful blisters
- blisters, sores, or ulcers around the anus
- change in bowel habits
The symptoms of anal herpes are similar to the symptoms of several other conditions, including hemorrhoids and syphilis. A doctor may be able to identify the condition by sight or physical examination.
Doctors may recommend a blood test to look for the herpes virus.
Otherwise, they may take a swab of the affected area and use the sample to run a DNA test called nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). These newer tests are fast, accurate, and can tell if a person has an HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection.
Since anal herpes is a viral infection, treatment is usually with antiviral medications. These types of drugs fight off the virus activity in the system and help reduce or control symptoms.
Antiviral medications also reduce the duration of the infection and the risk of the virus transmitting to a sexual partner.
Doctors should treat people as soon as possible since early treatment decreases the risk of transmission to others.
Direct mouth or skin contact allows the virus to be transmitted easily via:
- herpes sore or scab
- saliva
- genital secretions
Anal herpes is transmissible, but not everyone with the herpes virus shows symptoms. This means that people can contract the virus
Ways to reduce the risk of contracting herpes include:
- using barrier methods, such as condoms, during vaginal, anal, and oral sex
- getting regular sexual health screenings for STIs
- making sure that all sexual partners undergo routine sexual health screening
If someone’s sexual partner has anal herpes, they can lower the risk of transmission by using barrier contraception and avoiding sexual activity when their partner has an outbreak or active infection.
People who have had herpes should take any prescribed antiviral medication, as instructed by a doctor, and attend follow-up appointments to manage the virus.
There is
However, even if people have the herpes virus, it will not always produce symptoms and is not always transmissible.
The infection is
Repeated outbreaks tend to be shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although the virus remains in the body for the rest of the person’s life, the number of outbreaks may gradually decrease over time.
Anal herpes is a type of genital herpes.
While doctors cannot cure the infection, there are now many antiviral medicines available that reduce symptoms and decrease the risk of transmission.
Using barrier methods, such as condoms, during sexual activity and getting regular STI screenings can help reduce the risk of contracting anal herpes.