Contents:
Medical Video: Herpes Outbreak Symptoms and Treatment 2019
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 it does appear, the symptoms of herpes are often misinterpreted as a symptom of other diseases. What's more, herpes infections are more common in women than men.
The following are a number of characteristics of herpes symptoms to watch out for.
What are the symptoms of herpes that may appear to men?
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus that is transmitted and spreads through unprotected sex or oral sex and kissing.
Once the virus enters through an open skin wound or through a mucous membrane (wet soft tissue) in the mouth or genitals, the virus will travel along the nerve pathway. From time to time, the virus can become active. When this happens, the virus will swim back to the surface under the skin to start acting.
At this point, the virus can cause an outbreak of symptoms. Symptoms of herpes usually appear between two days to two weeks after exposure to the first infection. The most common symptoms of herpes in men include:
1. Flu and not feeling well
During the initial outbreak, symptoms of herpes usually cause itching in the penis accompanied by general flu symptoms, such as fever, headache, body aches, no appetite, and swollen lymph glands - especially in the groin. Men who show symptoms of mild herpes may not suspect that they have been infected with herpes.
2. Spots on the penis
Symptoms of genital herpes in men include small nodules around the penis. Spots in the penis are actually common. Lumps in the penis may be a natural part of healthy penile skin, such as pearly penile papules (PPP) or Fordyce spots, which need not be worried.
The difference is that a penile nodule that indicates the symptoms of herpes initially starts from a normal skin area that feels itchy, tingling or warm, and develops into an irritated and painful lump. The symptoms of herpes are usually small reddish and densely textured, containing white or transparent liquid. These warts can appear separately one by one or in groups.
Spots of herpes 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 is through oral sex or kissing.
3. Wounds on the skin of the penis
The symptoms of herpes will eventually rupture and cause open ulcers that are wet and painful. Herpes infections are in the most contagious stage during ulcer formation. Wounds can remain open for one to four days.
Over time, a crust will appear on the edge of the wound, which will harden into a joint. Within two to three days, new skin will form under the clutch. This process will cause the skin to crack and bleeding from the joints arise, and the skin feels painful, itchy, or dry scaly.
In a few days, the scab that forms on herpes ulcers will peel off and reveal new skin and virus-free underneath. The healing time lasts for around three to seven days. Do not pry, pull or scratch the clutch before the wound is completely healed.
Be careful, the symptoms of herpes can arise again
According to the CDC, the first wave of symptoms of herpes is usually the worst period of illness. To prevent the spread of infection to others, sexual intercourse is not recommended during this period.
Symptoms of herpes usually disappear within 2 to 3 weeks, or maybe faster. Unfortunately, the virus stays in your body's system forever, and can "turn on" again later.
Herpes infections in general can recur up to 4-5 times within one year after you recover completely from the first symptom outbreak. Some patients report mild tingling in the area of the infection before finally experiencing symptoms of recurrent herpes. With time, your body builds immunity to the virus, and outbreaks may arise more rarely, even stopping altogether in some people.
Can herpes be cured?
The only way to detect the symptoms you experience is herpes or not is through a physical examination and testing of soft tissue samples or blood tests by a health care provider in the hospital.
However, there is no cure for genital herpes. Symptoms of herpes can be reduced and prevented by treatment therapy. Treatment can also reduce your risk of infecting others.
