Table of contents:
- What are the symptoms of herpes that may appear in men?
- 1. Flu and not feeling well
- 2. Nipple on the penis
- 3. Wounds on the skin of the penis
- Be careful, herpes symptoms can come back
- Can herpes be cured?
Herpes is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases in various parts of the world. Unfortunately, herpes often appears without symptoms. And if they do appear, symptoms of herpes are often mistaken for symptoms of other diseases. What's more, herpes infections are more common in women than men.
The following are some of the characteristics of herpes symptoms to watch out for.
What are the symptoms of herpes that may appear in men?
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus which is transmitted and spread through unprotected sex or oral sex and kissing.
Once the virus enters through open skin wounds or through mucous membranes (wet soft tissue) in the mouth or genitals, it travels along nerve pathways. From time to time, the virus can become active. When this happens, the virus will swim back to the surface beneath the skin to start acting up.
At this point, the virus can cause an outbreak of symptoms. Symptoms of herpes usually appear between two days and two weeks after first exposure to the infection. The most common symptoms of herpes in men include:
1. Flu and not feeling well
During an outbreak in its early stages, the symptoms of herpes usually cause itching on the penis along with common cold symptoms, such as fever, headache, body aches, lack of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes - especially in the groin. Men who have mild herpes symptoms may not suspect that they have herpes.
2. Nipple on the penis
Symptoms of genital herpes disease in men include a small pimple around the penis. A nodule on the penis is actually a common thing. Lumps on the penis may be a natural part of healthy penile skin, such as pearly penile papules (PPP) or Fordyce spots, which are nothing to worry about.
The difference is, penis nodules that indicate symptoms of herpes initially start in areas of normal skin that feel itchy, tingling, or warm, and develop into irritated and painful lumps. Herpes symptoms are usually small reddish spots and solid texture, filled with white or transparent fluid. These warts can appear individually or in groups.
Herpes spots can also appear on other body skin, such as the buttocks, thighs, and arms, to the area around the mouth - if your first contact with the virus was through oral sex or kissing.
3. Wounds on the skin of the penis
Ulcers that are symptomatic of herpes will eventually burst and cause open sores that are wet and sore. Herpes infection is at the most contagious stage during ulcer formation. The wound can remain open for one to four days.
Over time a crust will appear on the edges of the wound, which will harden into a kopeng. Within two or three days, new skin will form under the scab. This process will cause cracked skin and bleeding from the cup, and the skin feels sore, itchy, or dry scaly.
Within a few days, the scabs that form on the cold sores will peel off and reveal new, virus-free skin underneath. The healing time lasts for about three to seven days. Do not pry, pull, or scratch the mask before the wound has completely healed.
Be careful, herpes symptoms can come back
According to the CDC, the first wave of herpes symptoms is usually the worst period of illness. To prevent the spread of the infection to other people, sexual intercourse is not recommended during this period.
Symptoms of herpes usually go away within 2 to 3 weeks, or maybe sooner. Unfortunately, the virus stays in your system forever, and can “flare up” again at a later time.
Herpes infections generally recur up to 4-5 times within a year after you have completely recovered from the first symptom outbreak. Some patients report a mild tingling sensation in the area of the infection before finally experiencing recurrent herpes symptoms. Over time, your body builds up immunity to the virus, and outbreaks may occur less often, if not completely in some people.
Can herpes be cured?
The only way to detect whether your symptoms are herpes or not is through a physical exam and soft tissue sample or blood tests by a health care provider in a hospital.
However, there is no cure for genital herpes. Symptoms of herpes can be reduced and prevented with medication therapy. Treatment can also reduce your risk of infecting others.
