The Three Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases of the Anus

The most common sexually transmitted diseases of the anus are rectal inflammation, inflammation of the mucosa of the anus and fungal infections. Learn more about the specific causes, the symptoms and the course of treatment.

 

Learn to recognize the most common diseases of the anus that are connected with sexual activity. (jlp)

RECTAL INFLAMMATION: CHLAMYDIAL PROCTITIS AND RECTAL GONORRHOEA

 

Inflammation of the mucosa of the anus can develop after having unprotected receptive anal intercourse with an infected partner. In case of gonorrhoea infection (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), discharge of mucus, pus, or blood from the anus, itching of the anus and an urgent desire to defecate develop within 5 to 7 days. Such an infection can also be silent (asymptomatic), so in half of the cases the infected are unaware of any changes.

The incubation period of the infection with Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) can last even more than 6 weeks. The signs are discharge of mucus and blood, painful defecation, fever, anal fissures, inflammation of inguinal lymph nodes, headaches and joint pain.

What is the course of the treatment?

It is vitally important that you tell your physician you had anal intercourse in the period prior to these problems. Otherwise, the physician can make a wrong diagnosis due to the similarities to the chronic intestinal inflammation (ulcerative proctitis, Chrone’s disease). Both infections tend to respond very effectively to the treatment with appropriate antibiotics.

 

Herpes can attack also your anus. (jlp)

INFLAMMATION OF THE MUCOSA OF THE ANUS DUE TO HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS INFECTION

 

We distinguish between two types of herpes simplex virus. Type 1 usually occurs on the lips and type 2 occurs on the genitals.

What do you have to take into consideration?

Fluid-filled blisters appear on the perineum, the anus and the skin of the genitals. Before they appear, you often have a prickly and piercing sensation and the skin in this area is also somewhat reddish. Blisters burst within a few days and they leave sores. Patients can also have fever, pain in the infected area and swollen inguinal lymph nodes.

How to treat the infection?

There are 3 to 9 days from sexual intercourse to the occurrence of the disease. You have to point out to your physician you had anal intercourse, or your partner kissed your anus, because the appearance of the infected skin of the anus can be very indistinctive and you will thus be prescribed a wrong medication.

 

As the virus can also stay in your body after problems are solved, you still have to take appropriate medications because they prevent the recurrences of the disease and alleviate pain when blisters reappear.

 

Anal intercourse should also be safe. (jlp)

 

FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE ANUS AND ANAL CANAL

 

What do you have to take into consideration?

When the skin is reddish and covered with white patches and we have a burning and itching sensation, fungi have already overgrown and started causing problems.

How to treat the infection?

In most cases, an appropriate cream is very effective.

If you think you should undergo an examination, or if you have the typical signs of certain infections of the anus, immediately seek professional help. Visit your personal physician who will refer you to a dermotovenerological clinic.

 

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