Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease today. It’s caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). Mostly, the genital herpes is caused by an infection called herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). There is also the type 1 virus, (HSV-1) which is often the cause of oral herpes (fever blisters or cold sore). However, it can also be the cause of genital herpes.
Some individuals having genital herpes may not easily discover they have the disease because it produces no symptoms and if they are there, they are not severe. Generally, genital herpes causes red bumps around the genitals. The symptoms of genital herpes in men include blisters on the scrotum, penis, and anus. Since it’s not easily noticeable by most people, we will take you through its common symptoms, the underlying causes, and treatment.
Causes of Genital Herpes in Men
Genital herpes in men is caused by an infection called herpes simplex virus. This virus is transmitted through sexual activity, either genital contact or direct oral contact. This implies that a person can get the virus by having oral sex with a person with herpes. Normally, people pass the HSV-1 through kissing or touching.
On the other hand, the HSV-2 type is transferred through sexual intercourse. It’s possible to get genital herpes from a person without visible sores and lesions, especially if they are in the initial stages.
Symptoms of Genital Herpes in Men
The genital herpes symptoms in men usually appear 2 to 20 days after getting infected. The first time the genital herpes shows up is referred to as the initial herpes outbreak. The symptoms are mostly noticed in the later outbreaks because the first outbreak is more severe as compared to the subsequent outbreaks and may result in additional symptoms you won’t find in the recurring outbreaks.
If you feel you may have genital herpes flaring up, these are some of the symptoms that accompany it:
1. Lumps/Bumps
If genital herpes shows symptoms, one of the visible signs you will notice is very mild bumps, which can be mistaken to be ingrown spots. Herpes lumps/bumps look like sores, white blisters, or red bumps. Genital herpes is transmitted through skin contact, which means the first genital herpes symptoms men usually appear on thighs, butt cheeks, around the anus, mouth, in the urethra on the front hole or penis and scrotum areas.
2. Aches/Fever
You may also experience flu symptoms such as fever or aches, though it is less likely to happen compared to the visible sores. The lymph nodes may also become swollen in the groin area because the immune system tries to fight the infection. The flu-like symptoms tend to show up in the infection’s first outbreak.
3. Itching
This is the most common genital herpes symptom in men. You will feel itchiness in the genitals and tenderness. Often, it feels like a tingling sensation and is usually seen in the early stages. This is a warning sign that you may have genital herpes disease on the way. It is advisable to not scratch the area as it can worsen the situation.
4. Painful Urination
If the lumps turn into ulcers, you’ll have trouble peeing since you will feel excruciating pain during the process. These sores may be hidden in the urethra, which makes it hard to pee.
Stages of Genital Herpes
Normally, genital herpes in men manifests in various stages, although symptoms vary from person to person. Here are typical genital herpes men stages:
1. Prodrome or Outbreak Stage
This is the first stage of genital herpes in men. It is an early stage that shows you are about to have a herpes outbreak. It starts as an itching or tingling feeling in the buttocks, lower back, and thighs hours before the blisters show up. The symptoms you may have are fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, etc.
Sometimes, the skin in your genitals may become swollen or red. Then tiny red bumps appearing as blisters will break, causing really painful ulcers. Also, you may feel pain when urinating. Even though herpes sores usually heal without any treatment in a few weeks, you’ll still have this infection. It doesn’t heal completely and remains in the body as long as you live.
2. Latent Stage
When the sores heal, the virus goes to nerves and travels to the spine base and may stay there for a few weeks or even months. During this time, you will have no symptoms but you can still transfer the infections easily to other people. The latent stage mainly implies that the virus isn’t that active in the body and may often be termed the ‘sleeping’ stage, and the virus may be reactivated later on.
3. Shedding Stage
In this stage, the virus is in the ‘wake up’ state and begins multiplying in the nerve endings. If the nerves are in body parts that produce bodily fluids, they can get into semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva. Even though there are no noticeable symptoms, you can still transmit the virus to other people.
Genital Herpes Treatment
Currently, there is no cure for this infection but most people experience mild symptoms without alarming complications. Healthcare providers can prescribe medications that will only shorten the duration of symptoms occurrence or prevent any future occurrences but can’t cure the virus.
There are no vaccines to prevent people from contracting or transmitting genital herpes virus. But the risk can be reduced by practising safe sexual practices like:
- Using condoms
- Avoiding sexual activities with a person having the symptoms
- Avoiding too many sexual partners
- Getting genital herpes treatment from your doctor to hinder future occurrences.
These practices will lower the risk of getting genital herpes, though they can’t prevent symptoms from escalating.
Conclusion
Now you understand genital herpes treatment, symptoms, and causes. Genital herpes is a commonly contracted STI caused by the herpes simplex virus and usually triggers mild or no signs at all. Any person can contract the infection. Genital herpes in men can come with signs like red bumps, which change to blisters. Even though there’s no cure, medications and practising safe sexual activity can prevent it from occurring in the future.
