Proctitis from UC but also Herpes?

I read you can get protitis from HSV 1 or 2, also you can get protitis from UC or chrons. How do you know that your proctitis is not from Herpe simiplex 1 or 2? I was just curious? Has anyone ever looked into this? Herpes in anus is common (mostly gay men) but it can happen to anyone and the symptoms are the same as UC in the rectum/anus.

Just wondering. I'm always trying to find an answer to what I have. You have to be your own advocate and a strong one at that! It's been 6 years and I'm still trying to find an answer.

I have never had herpes but I thought the same thing when I initially read about proctitis. I don't think mine is related because the way my UC progressed was pretty standard. I began with proctitis and over 1-2 years, it progressed to full UC. The biopsies have always been consistent with UC and visually it looks like UC inflammation. Have you asked your GI about this? I wonder what he would say? I saw someone here mention treating with valtrex the other day, I find that interesting and I would definitely give it a try if I had herpes. I would almost give it a try regardless but I doubt I would find a doctor who will give me valtrex when I do not have herpes.

Herpes is one of the most misunderstood std's out there. The simple truth is that 90% of the adult population has it but doesn't realize it. If you ever get a fever blister you have herpes. The only difference between mouth herpes and the other kind is simply where it's located. It's the same virus, resting at the back of your brain untill something triggers it and you get an outbreak. There is no difference in oral herpes and the other kind, just the location, and there is no cure for herpes, though drugs such as Valtrax can stop an ourbreak once you get one.

Post Edited By Moderator (notsosicklygirl) : 11/30/2011 10:24:46 AM (GMT-7)

I got herpes 2 as a teenager on my ring finger. It took the Dr.'s a while to diagnose because of the unusual spot. My lymph node on that arm is always hard and swollen but when I have an outbreak it's painful too. I have noticed as I've gotten older, that when I have an outbreak it's not just painful on my finger but also on my elbow lymph node, my shoulder blade muscle, my neck behind my ear (and there is a small pimple there) and lately it's been very painful under my shoulder blade and on my right butt cheek. On my butt cheek I have a small raised red bump that is painful to touch and if I sit for too long my whole bottom gets numb and it's very uncomfortable.
I also have non-specific colitis. I have noticed that when I have herpes or colitis they both flare up. This time I have had an episode of colitis for 6 weeks with an outbreak of herpes on my finger for the same amount of time. I have a hunch that they are related but my Internest seems to pass it off as "maybe". I am on Valtrex but I haven't found the right dose to stop either the herpes or the colitis. I was taking two tablets twice a day for 5 days. Then I took 1/2 a gram every day for a week. The outbreak on my finger never seemed to completely go away and the colitis is still wrecking havoc. My internist recommended I take a full gram of Valtrex a day until the outbreak on my finger is gone. Maybe, just maybe my colitis will be gone then too. It seems to go together~ but the Dr's just don't give it a lot of credence. Why is this?? As of today the bump on my butt cheek is getting smaller and the pain is becoming less but the diarrhea of the colitis is about the same. I am cautiously optimistic that I will be better in a week. 6 weeks is a LONG time to have diarrhea and I don't even have any weight loss to show for it!