HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Can I Get Herpes Or Genital Warts Despite Having Protected Sex?

Posted on Tue, 15 Apr 2014

Question: hello doctor lately i have been very worried about STD's as i have done a lot of sleeping around with prostitutes. I've always used protection but been worried about herpes and genital warts as these are not fully protected by a condom. I have been experiencing itching in my anus through out the day and i don't know what to think about it. i know that sometimes you can have herpes or HPV and not really show much signs of it, could this be it? If so is there a blood test i could do to test for herpes and HPV. i don't know if i'm exaggerating this or if i should truly get tested. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Condoms offers protection for herpes and wart Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. Nothing serious to worry. Protected sex offers definitely a high degree of safety against Genital Herpes and Genital Warts also. You had not mentioned anything about anal sex. Without receiving anal sex herpes and warts in anal region is not common. The itching over and inside anal region may be due other non STD causes like an yeast infection, other fungal infection, or eczema, intertrigo etc. Herpes can be tested with blood examination and genital warts can be tested only in specialized virological laboratories only. But it can be detected by inspection of the region with proctoscopy or rectal examination and other tests with acetic acid and Lugol's Iodine instillation over any suspected area. If you consult your Dermatologist ,he/she will guide you in this regards. Wish you a speedy recovery. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

just to clarify doctor. since i have never received anal sex, there is no chance that this itching is being caused by an std. i am a heterosexual male who has had vaginal intercourse with prostitutes. i know you can acquire hpv through skin to skin to contact, but can this affect the anus itching?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Without anal intercourse STD in anus is unlikely. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back. If you are an exclusively a heterosexual male who had only vaginal intercourse, then the anal itching is quite unlikely to be due to any STD. HPV is usually have no symptoms in initial stages except that of a papilomatous growth without any itching or pain. Wart in anal region is common with people who have anal receptive sex. So you need not have to worry at all about STDs. It could be due to some other cases other than STDs. Your Dermatologist will easily tackle your problem and you will get relieved. Dr S.Murugan

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar