What Is The Difference Between Anal Fissure And Anal Herpes?

Posted on Mon, 13 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 Answered on

Wed, 29 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : what is the difference between anal fissure and anal herpes?

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
both are entirely different

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

welcome to HealthcareMagic .

Anal herpes and fissure are 2 different entity in cause, features and treatment.

The differentiating features are
Anal features
-burning pain during passing stools
-constipation
-bleeding during passing stool, fresh blood
-present at one site or 2 (multiple in anal sex) and at the anal margin inside.

Anal Herpes
- blisters , itching, pain around anus not particularly while passing stools
-scab and discharge formation
-generalised weakness and mild fever
-history of sexual exposure will be there
-unlikely to bleed
-extend 3 to 5 cm around anal margin, multiple

Both may be diagnosed by clinical examination and treatment given.

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help.

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (15 minutes later)

I have discovered an anal fissure today. I had one before this year.. it only burns to pass stool but temporarily. I had a mild fever and sore throat recently. I had blood on tissue and stool surface and I also have 2 inginal superficial lymph.nodes painless with a negative ct scan. just nervous

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
consult a surgeon

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I suggest you to consult your surgeon and get examined. Because in fiisure there won't be fever and soar throat.

The possibility may be that you have fissure and separate throat infection. So after clinical examination it will be diagnosed and treatment will be initiated, also rule out herpes infection.

Your symptoms suggest it is fissure most likely. Still needs examination to confirm.

And whenever you develop constipation or straining during passing stools it is likely that your fissure may recur again.

Treatment for fissure includes- high fiber diet, antibiotics like ofloxacin, local cream, stool softner and sitz bath(sitting in warm water ) .

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help.

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (12 hours later)

Even if I had a cbc blood test recently could it still be herpes and it is painless until I use the bathroom?

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
unlikely to be herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

If pain is only during bathroom then it is unlikely to be herpes. It goes in favor of fissure.

Also if cbc is normal then chances are less that it is herpes. In herpes lymphocytes may be increased. If no pain and no multiple small swellings near anus then don't worry. It is unlikely to be herpes.

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help.

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (10 minutes later)

yes and thanks a lot

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
My pleasure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am glad that I have been of some help to you. If no further queries are there you may close the discussion and rate the response.

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj