People don’t like to talk about hemorrhoids – and many don’t even know exactly what they are. Anyone who hears that the other person has symptoms from hemorrhoids may fear contagion. Read if this fear is justified.
Itching on the anus, burning, weeping, blood on the toilet paper: these are typical symptoms of a so-called hemorrhoidal disease. About seven out of ten adults will experience them at some point in their lives. But are hemorrhoids actually contagious? For example, is there a risk of getting infected through sex or by using the same toilet?
The simple answer: hemorrhoids have nothing to do with pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or fungi. So there is no risk of contracting it from someone else. Hemorrhoids are not contagious.
The detailed answer:
Everyone has hemorrhoids: they are a natural vascular cushion in the rectum, in which knot-like spongy bodies are located. Task of hemorrhoids is to line the intestines along with the inner and outer sphincter seal to the outside. Without hemorrhoids, when you cough, sneeze or jump, stool would escape uncontrollably from the intestines.
So hemorrhoids themselves are not a disease, nor are they contagious. The cavernous bodies only cause problems when they are abnormally expanded. This can happen if the rectum is repeatedly under high pressure. One possible cause is chronic constipationso that those affected bowel movement have to press hard.
If hemorrhoids are enlarged, they protrude permanently or permanently from the anus. This can lead to the typical symptoms such as itching, weeping or bleeding. Then experts speak of hemorrhoidal disease – and of course that is not contagious either.
Important NOTE: The information in no way replaces professional advice or treatment by trained and recognized doctors. The content of t-online cannot and must not be used to independently make diagnoses or start treatments.