The symptoms of anal herpes and hemorrhoids are similar, so often that one is confused with whether they have herpes or hemorrhoids. In this article, we’ll give an overview of both, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and management, so you can be able to discern between the two and know what condition (if it’s herpes or hemorrhoids) you may be suffering from.

However, whatever information you get here, does not counter what your doctor may have to say, hence, you should check with your doctor when you begin to notice any of the symptoms that will be listed in the article for either herpes or hemorrhoids respectively.

OVERVIEW OF HERPES

Herpes is an infection caused by a virus known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). It is mainly characterized by the formation of blisters around the mouth or genitals, depending on what type of herpes you may have.

TYPES OF HERPES INFECTION

There are 2 types of Herpes:

HSV-1: also known as oral herpes
HSV-2: also known as genital herpes

HSV-1: Oral herpes caused blisters to develop around the mouth, lips, and sometimes even the tongue. These sores are sometimes mistaken to be cold sores and usually last 2-3 weeks.

HSV-2: On the other hand, HSV-2 causes sores to develop on the genital areas -penis, vagina, buttocks and can even form on other areas of the skin. It is specifically a sexually transmitted infection and causes pain when urinating and changes in vaginal discharge. The sores may last for 2-6 weeks, after which symptoms may recur frequently. Anal herpes can make it difficult to differentiate whether it’s herpes or hemorrhoids

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SYMPTOMS OF HERPES

Along with the blisters that are formed either on the mouth or genitals, herpes may as well cause: Itching and pain, fever, general feeling of weakness, swollen lymph nodes.

There are initial symptoms that appear on the occurrence of herpes, though they are usually not chronic and lady’s for only a few days, eventually, these symptoms recur but subsequently occur less often and symptoms continue to become less severe.

CAUSES OF HERPES

Viruses can be fast spreading depending on the nature of the virus. In the case of HSV, it is fast spreading, it can be transmitted from skin to skin contact with moist skin of the mouth or genitals of a person with herpes. So unless you know your partner’s status regarding herpes, you should abstain from unprotected sex.

The virus can be transmitted if:

You are having vaginal or anal sex without protection.
Sharing sex toys
Having any other oral or genital contact with an infected person.

Herpes can also be transmitted from mother to child. If a woman with herpes has sores while giving birth, the virus can be passed on to the baby.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF HERPES

There is currently no cure for herpes, but there are measures that could be taken to help manage the symptoms and reduce the possibility of them recurring.

Most times, treatment involves the use of general-purpose antiviral drugs prescribed by your doctor, to help reduce the physical severity of the symptoms and also lower the chances of transmission. Antiviral drugs such as aciclovir, and valaciclovir can help prevent the virus from multiplying.

Also, you could use pain relief medications such as ibuprofen for the sting from the blisters. Over-the-counter heroes treatments, which are usually creams can as well help with the itching and pain.

Overall, avoiding unprotected sex, not kissing when there is a sore around the mouth, and maintaining good hygiene are the best. Prevention is always better than cure.

Now we have discussed all about herpes, let take a closer look at hemorrhoids. So that you will be able to differentiate whether you have herpes or hemorrhoids

OVERVIEW OF HEMORRHOIDS

This is also known as pile. It is a swollen vein outside of your anus and inside the rectum which causes pain, itching, and related bleeding. From the location, you may wonder whether it is herpes or hemorrhoids. Read on!

RISK FACTORS

Anyone can get hemorrhoids, we are all born with it, but at baseline, they don’t bother us. It only becomes a problem when they become swollen and symptoms begin to manifest. But you may be more at risk if you are: i. Obese ii. Pregnant iii. Regularly lifting heavy objects iv. Eat foods low in fiber v. Strain while having bowel movements

TYPES OF HEMORRHOIDS

To determine the type of hemorrhoids, you need to discover where the swollen vein is located. It could be either inside the rectum or outside the anus.

There are 2 types of hemorrhoids:

1) External Hemorrhoid: This type of hemorrhoid occurs under the skin, around your anus, where there are a lot of pain-sensing nerves. Symptoms of this type of hemorrhoid may be: swelling of the skin around the anus, bleeding, pain and discomfort around the anus.

Thrombosed Hemorroids is the one that results from the external type of hemorrhoid and forms a clot, which results in thrombosis hemorrhoid. Symptoms may include: more swelling, inflammation, severe pain, the appearance of a lump near your anus.

2) Internal Hemorroids: This type happens inside the rectum. They can be said to be invisible since they rarely cause discomfort and can’t be seen or felt.

However, there are signs you can use to identify it such as:
1. Staining when passing stool

2. Painless bleeding during bowel movements. You may notice some droplets of blood when stooling.

3. Protruding hemorrhoid from your anus can be noticed.

TREATMENT OF HEMORRHOIDS

Most times symptoms of hemorrhoids go away on their own, but should they persist and become severe, you will need to make a doctor’s appointment.

Your doctor might decide to treat you through any of the processes, depending on the severity of your symptoms:
1. Adjustment in the meal plan: Your doctor might advise that you add more fiber to your diet along with fruits, vegetables, and grains. Drinking more water can be advised as it will help enhance bowel movements.
2. Nonsurgical treatment: Your doctor might recommend over-the-counter creams and other medications to ease the pains, swelling, and itching.
3. Surgical treatment: If your hemorrhoid becomes so severe the swelling increases, you may need surgery

DO I HAVE HERPES OR HEMORRHOIDS?

Sometimes people confuse the two. You can have either herpes or hemorrhoids an not know which one it is. You may have herpes but think you have hemorrhoid or have hemorrhoid and think you have herpes.

But while both hemorrhoid and anal herpes occur on the anus, their symptoms are not similar. While hemorrhoids will cause a protrusion, herpes causes the appearance of blisters.

Also, while herpes is caused by a virus, a hemorrhoid is caused by the swelling of the veins around your rectum or anus, and hemorrhoids are not transmittable, whereas, herpes is transmittable.

If you have taken your time to read through the article, then by now you should be able to tell if you have herpes or hemorrhoids.

Do I Have Herpes or Hemorrhoids