Herpes on the penis looks like clusters of small, fluid-filled blisters.
After the initial outbreak, the sores can recur during moments of illness, stress, or fatigue.
Genital herpesis asexually transmitted infection (STI)brought on by theherpes simplex virus (HSV).
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The sores look similar in males and females, but therisk of transmissionis different.
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What Does Genital Herpes Look Like in Men?
Genital herpes looks like a cluster of blisters, though sometimes there is only one blister.
HSV-1 is the bang out commonly linked tocold soresthat can be passed to the genitals or rectum throughoral sex.
Herpes blisters typically heal within two to four weeks.
Subsequent genital herpes outbreaks tend to be less severe than the first outbreak.
Symptoms can vary from one person to the next.
Where genital herpes can differ in males is in their location.
What Triggers Herpes Outbreaks?
Herpes triggers can include illness, stress, and hormonal changes.
When the virus is reactivated, it causes a new outbreak of sores and blisters.
How Genital Herpes Is Spread
The herpes virus is found on the skin and in saliva.
The virus is easily spread through intimate contact, usually during oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Simply put, vaginas have larger areas ofmucosal membranesthan penises.
These mucus-secreting tissues are porous and vulnerable to tears and infection.
How Common Is Genital Herpes in Men?
However, these tests are not reliable and can give false positives and false negatives.
They work best if taken within 72 hours of the appearance of lesions.
There is currently no vaccine that is protective against genital herpes infection.
Blisters accompanied by pain may be seen or felt in the genital area.
With the initial outbreak, there may be fever, headache, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Further outbreaks may be less severe.
Treatment with antiviral drugs at the start of an outbreak may reduce the duration and severity of symptoms.
Daily suppressive treatment may reduce transmission.
Genital herpes symptoms tend to occur within two to 12 days of exposure to the virus.
The infection can cause an outbreak of blisters that break open into painful sores and quickly crust over.
Healing usually occurs within two to four weeks, sometimes longer if the outbreak is severe.
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