Is this a common problem? What are the possible causes, and could it be something serious?
E.B.
Rectal bleeding in school-age children is not uncommon, and it usually comes from a benign source, such as a small tear in the lining of the bowel from having a hard bowel movement. These usually are treated with fluid, stool softeners and lubricants. However, repeated episodes should bring up the possibility of a more serious issue. In this age group, other common causes are juvenile polyps and inflammatory bowel disease.
A juvenile polyp is a benign growth of tissue in the colon, and these frequently can bleed. They are diagnosed via endoscopy 鈥� either a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy. They are almost never cancerous.
Inflammatory bowel disease is a serious condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Children with IBD may have poor growth or weight loss, and usually, but not always, have abdominal pain or bleeding.
I am concerned and confused about 鈥渂owel cleansing.鈥� I think it is past time to have your grandson evaluated by a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Dear Dr. Roach: I was diagnosed via blood test with herpes simplex II. What should I do? Also, I have heard this will advance to HIV. Is that true?
D.J.
Herpes simplex virus type II is the usual cause of genital herpes, and it鈥檚 spread by intimate contact. Many people who have it are not aware that they do, and can pass on the virus. Unfortunately, the blood test for the virus isn鈥檛 perfect. Among college students with no history of genital herpes, only about 40 per cent of people with a positive blood test for HSV-II actually had HSV-II. Only people with symptoms are recommended for testing.
There is absolutely no truth that HSV-I or HSV-II can progress to or cause HIV. It鈥檚 possible to get both, of course, but one cannot become the other. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all people between 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once, and at least once a year for people at higher risk.
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