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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Chronic Itching In Anus Mean Herpes?

Hi! So I am always at war with my mind, battling random anxieties. I get checked for STDs regularly. I am a gay male and have only had a few sexual experiences in my life, at age 27. I ve never been in a long-term relationship and I have only had a string of one night stands, where I ve never seen any sores present. The thing that scares me the most is Herpes, especially having it without knowing and accidentally spreading it to people. The weird thing is, I have never seen any bumps, lesions, cuts or sores. Sometimes I get an itchy anus and this is what triggers my fear. Currently, I have had itching going on for 5 weeks. I am assuming it is because of sweat and hygiene, which I have since corrected and I just started to use Lotrim which seems to be working. My question is-- would itching for 5 weeks without any sores present be an instance of possible herpes? I am driving myself crazy, debating whether or not I should go through the trouble of getting a blood test when really there is nothing on my skin. I read that you can have no symptoms at all and still carry the virus, able to give it to others. Do you think I have any valid reason to believe I have herpes or am I just totally insane? Is it worth it to get tested when the symptoms are not present?
posted on Mon, 13 Oct 2014
Twitter Sat, 22 Nov 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 24 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

Itching with no lesions for 5 weeks is unlikely to be herpes and moreover because the condition seems to have benefited from topical antifungal, therefore itching is most likely the result of fungal infection/yeast.
Sweating and occlusion favoring the development of fungal infection.
Herpes generally presents as discrete, well defined erosion s, which are painful and have a burning sensation. It is very much possible to carry the virus without any symptoms.
It would be a good idea to test for STD's including herpes because you have been engaged with multiple sexual partners in the past.
However the symptoms that you presently have does not seem to suggest herpes.

Regards
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Does Chronic Itching In Anus Mean Herpes?

Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic Itching with no lesions for 5 weeks is unlikely to be herpes and moreover because the condition seems to have benefited from topical antifungal, therefore itching is most likely the result of fungal infection/yeast. Sweating and occlusion favoring the development of fungal infection. Herpes generally presents as discrete, well defined erosion s, which are painful and have a burning sensation. It is very much possible to carry the virus without any symptoms. It would be a good idea to test for STD s including herpes because you have been engaged with multiple sexual partners in the past. However the symptoms that you presently have does not seem to suggest herpes. Regards