What Does Genital Herpes Look Like In Men
Genital herpes looks no different in men than in people of any sex. The spontaneous outbreak of blisters accompanied by pain is the classic tell-tale sign of this common viral infection.
Even so, the symptoms can vary from one person to the next. An outbreak may involve only one sore or a dense cluster of sores. Some cases will be subclinical , while others can be severe and physically debilitating.
While it may seem reasonable to assume that the signs and symptoms of genital herpes are pretty obvious, the variations in symptoms can occasionally lead to misdiagnoses.
Specialist evaluation and testing are sometimes needed to differentiate genital herpes from conditions with similar symptoms, such as:
Ask About Sexual History
Ask all partners whether theyâve been tested recently for STIs before sexual contact. Limiting the number of sexual partners you are exposed to will also decrease your risk of contracting genital herpes and other STIs.
If you’ve had unprotected sex, or if you experience symptoms of genital herpes, visit your healthcare provider or local STI clinic for an STI screenings.
If you have genital herpes, be open with your partner and talk about the risks of transmission.
Douching should be avoided, as this may actually increase chances of contracting an STI .
Researchers are working towards the development of other preventative strategies, such as an HSV vaccine and topical microbicides to help prevent the spread of herpes .
What Does Genital Herpes Look Like When Its Healing
As your herpes outbreak comes to an end, your herpes sores will begin to crust over, scab like a small cut, and eventually go away. The sores can take a week or more to heal.
Your nurse or doctor can give you herpes medicine to help prevent or treat outbreaks, and there are ointments that can help make your sores heal faster and hurt less.
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High Risk Factors For Genital Herpes
Most people get infected by having sex with someone who is shedding the herpes virus either during an outbreak or an asymptomatic period. People who are unaware about their herpes infection play an important role in the transmission of this disease.
Genital Herpes is extremely widespread because it is so contagious. Carriers can transmit the disease without having any symptoms of an active infection. Almost 90% of those infected, fail to recognize the symptoms or have no symptoms at all. The highest rates of infection are seen usually among the poor, those with less education, those addicted to cocaine or similar drugs and those with many sexual partners.
There are various reasons why so many people with herpes are undiagnosed. Many people never experience symptoms, and those that do may be too embarrassed to get tested due to the stigma of having a STD. But even those who go for a test may not get an accurate diagnosis. Antibodies to the virus sometimes takes months to develop in an infected persons body, so tests taken soon after infection may produce negative results.
Genital herpes infections usually do not cause serious health problems in healthy adults. However, in persons with weak immune systems, the genital herpes outbreaks can be unusually severe and long lasting.
How Can I Manage The Symptoms
- Keep the area clean to avoid infection. You can use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to reduce pain and soothe your skin.
- Some people find topical anaesthetic creams such as Emla help
- Drink plenty of fluids – this will dilute your urine and make passing urine less painful.
- Avoid tight clothing as it may irritate the blisters and sores further.
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What Does Genital Herpes Look Like When It Is Healing
Over time, the ulcers will develop a yellowish fluid which will harden to form a scab over the sore. The sores will eventually crust over and heal, before eventually falling off. Herpes sores at this stage take on the appearance of a crust-lined scab which is a distinct yellowish colour due to the hardening of the fluid. The skin surrounding healing herpes sores may still appear somewhat red and irritated.
How Do I Find Out If I Have Herpes
Herpes testing is only generally done when there are sores present. Visit your health care provider as soon as possible after the sores develop. They will examine the area, and may swab the sores or send you for a blood test.
If the sores have already started to heal, a swab test may not pick up the virus. In this case, the test can be negative and you can still have herpes.
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Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Herpes simplex virus type 1 is the
vast majority of HSV-1 cases affect the mouth and its surrounding area. However, it is possible for HSV-1 to affect other areas of the body, such as the genitals.
HSV-1 often develops during childhood and is a lifelong condition. It can spread through non-sexual contact with saliva, such as kissing.
Testing For Genital Herpes
If you think you may have genital herpes you should make an appointment with your GP or local sexual health services.
If there are symptoms present such as blisters, sores and ulcers, your doctor or nurse may be able to make a diagnosis straight away.
If you have visible blisters, your doctor or nurse may take a swab for testing, to check if this is herpes and what type. This swab can also test for another STI which causes blisters called syphilis.
The genital herpes swab tests are very reliable, though if the ulcer is too dry then it may be less likely to find a positive result.
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Can Genital Herpes Be Treated
Your physician can prescribe different medications to help reduce your symptoms and speed up the healing of an outbreak. These medicines work best when you start them soon after an outbreak occurs.
To reduce pain during an outbreak:
- Sit in warm water in a portable bath or bathtub for about 20 minutes. Avoid bubble baths.
- Keep your genital area clean and dry, and avoid tight clothes.
- Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin.
Let your physician know if you are worried about your genital herpes. He or she can recommend a support group to help you cope with the virus.
Is Genital Herpes Infection Related To Hiv
Herpes and HIV are caused by different viruses. But patients infected with these viruses are more likely to transmit either disease to their sexual partners. Patients with herpes are more vulnerable to HIV infection. People newly diagnosed with herpes should be tested for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.
Patients who are infected with both herpes and HIV also may have a higher concentration of HIV viruses in their body because of the interaction between the herpes virus and the HIV virus. When HIV damages a persons immune system, the person may be more likely to shed herpes simplex virus asymptomatically.
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Contact Dermatitis Can Be Mistaken For Herpes
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that can cause red, itchy, cracked, dry, or scaly skin, blisters, or a rash. Like herpes, it recurs, and while it’s not an STD, when it appears in the mouth or genital area, it may be mistaken for herpes. However, unlike herpes, contact dermatitis can happen anywhere on the skin and is caused by direct contact with an irritant or something you’re allergic to, per the Mayo Clinic. It’s not caused by a virus.
Contact dermatitis usually occurs within minutes to hours after touching an irritant. Common causes include poison ivy and reactions to medication, cosmetics, detergents, and jewelry. The skin rash from contact dermatitis usually clears up in a few weeks.
The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to identify whats causing it and avoid touching that item or substance again. Allergy testing can help identify the cause.
While contact dermatitis is generally not a serious condition, it can be itchy and uncomfortable. When the rash is present, try using cool, wet compresses or anti-itch creams to soothe it. Antihistamine pills can help reduce the itchiness. Avoid scratching the area: Doing so can make symptoms worse and open the door to a bacterial or fungal infection. If your itching is severe, you should see your primary care provider or a dermatologist for topical steroid medication.
Does Treatment Cure Herpes
No. Although herpes cannot be cured, it can be treated! For oral herpes, using a sun block on and around the borders of the lips and a hat can lessen the chance of cold sores from sun exposure. Oral medications, prescribed by your HCP, can be used to treat herpes infections, help prevent genital herpes recurrences, and decrease the chance of passing the infection to partners.
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Support And Advice For Genital Herpes
If you have just found out you have genital herpes, you may feel shocked and may have a lot of questions. It may help you to gather as much information as you can about herpes. This can help you to make fully informed decisions about your treatment, safe sex and preventing further recurrences. Talking to a counsellor about your concerns may also help.
How Genital Herpes Is Spread
You can get genital herpes if you come into contact with:
- Saliva from a partner with oral herpes
- Genital fluids from a partner with genital herpes
- Skin around the mouth or genitals of someone with a herpes infection
You can even get herpes from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has no symptoms and who may not even know they have herpes.
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Pimples Test Negative For All These Tests What Do I Do Now
Once you successfully identify the nature of your sores, which should be an easy task now that you know what herpes looks like, the management is not that complex either. Since pimples are a hygiene issue, it only means a more thorough cleaning with effective products such as acne ointments, antibacterial soap and creams, oil ointments for inflammation, and patting with warm, wet cloth a few times a day.
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On the contrary, if you have even a little doubt that your sores may be herpes, you should visit your primary care physician and get an anti-viral prescription. Herpes may be incurable but anti-viral are more than enough to stop it from affecting your quality of life at all. Early identification is the key to a better life.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes
If you do notice symptoms, youll experience them differently depending on whether youre having your first herpes outbreak or a recurrent outbreak. Recurring symptoms are usually milder than the first outbreak. Symptoms dont last as long with later outbreaks. Some people may only have one or two outbreaks during their lifetime. Others may have as many as four or five outbreaks a year.
How do genital herpes first appear?
When symptoms occur, theyre usually worse during the first outbreak or flare-up . Symptoms typically appear within two to 20 days after infection. Active symptoms may last up to four weeks.
You may experience:
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Herpes Simplex Vs Aphthous Ulcers
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Getty Images / Alona Siniehina
This is a picture of aphthous ulcers, a type of oral sore that is often confused with cold sores. Aphthous ulcers can occur anywhere in the mouth, but do not involve the outside of the lip. They are not caused by the herpes virus.
Aphthous ulcers are painful, non-contagious ulcers limited to the inside of the mouth. As opposed to herpes blisters, aphthous ulcers start as painful sores that are yellowish or whitish in color with a red border.
Aphthous ulcers can be caused by the following.
Is Genital Herpes Related To Shingles
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella zoster virus , which causes chickenpox earlier in life. The natural history of varicella zoster infection is similar to genital herpes infection in that VZV also becomes latent in the sensory nerve roots. Later in life the virus may exit, causing shingles.
Recurrences in shingles cause blister lesions in a single area of skin called a dermatome. Shingles is not a sexually transmitted infection and is independent from genital herpes.
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Do Condoms Help Prevent The Spread Of Genital Herpes
Yes. To prevent transmission of herpes, we recommend that condoms be used 100% of the time. Many patients will shed the virus and be contagious when they dont have symptoms. Studies have shown that asymptomatic shedding occurs between 1% and 3% of the time in patients with HSV II genital infections. Many new herpes infections occur from partners who are shedding the virus asymptomatically, so condoms are highly recommended.
Condoms may not be an attractive option for monogamous couples or for couples who desire to become pregnant. Couples may opt to have serological tests to determine if either partner has an asymptomatic infection. In close monogamous relationships, the risks of transmission can be weighed against other relationship issues, such as intimacy and pregnancy.
Typical Lesions On Finger
James Heilman, MD , CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
This picture shows a herpetic whitlow, or herpes infection of the finger, that has blisters and sores. Herpetic whitlow will go away on its own, although often Zovirax is given for treatment.
Oral antivirals are generally not needed unless the infection is severe or a person has a weak immune system.
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Recurrent Episodes Of Genital Herpes
Recurrences are usually less painful and shorter in duration than the first episode of genital herpes. Over time, episodes usually become less frequent and may eventually stop altogether. Infections caused by HSV1 are less likely to recur in the genital area than infections caused by HSV2.
Recurrences may be triggered by:
- no apparent reason noted.
Treatment Of Vaginal Herpes
There is no cure for the HSV 2 herpes virus once a person is infected it remains within the body.
Whilst there is no cure for vaginal herpes, there are treatments available which reduce the length and severity of associated symptoms.
Where a woman experiences frequent outbreaks of genital herpes, medication may be prescribed which reduces the recurrence of an outbreak. This is often referred to as suppressive therapy.
There are also herbal treatments which may suppress the herpes virus.
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Treatment For Genital Herpes
There is no medication to cure your body of the herpes virus. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms, reducing the frequency of recurrences and reducing transmission.
Symptoms can be improved by:
- ice packs to the affected area
- pain-relieving medication such as paracetamol
- antiviral medication such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. These can reduce the severity of an episode if taken early enough . Topical antivirals usually used for cold sores on the lips or face are not suitable for use on the genitals.
Atypical Healing Of Genital Herpes Sores
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
This picture shows herpes lesions after some of the blisters have broken open. Typically, you will see a whitish or yellowish crust forming on the ulcers.
With that said, crusting may not be all that apparent. Because the skin of the and is moist, there may be minimal crusting. Instead, there may be a whitish film covering or surrounding the open sores.
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Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe
Most HSV infections are easy for physicians to diagnose. On occasion, however, a swab from the infected skin may be sent to the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis. A blood test may also be performed to determine if you have been exposed to the virus. Your doctor may also recommend a blood test for your partner to determine if he/she has been exposed to herpes in the past, or is at risk for contracting the virus.Untreated HSV infections will go away on their own, but antiviral medications can reduce symptoms, shorten the duration of outbreaks, and decrease the chance of spreading the virus. These medicines are most effective if taken during the first 24 hours of symptoms. If you experience burning and tingling before the appearance of blisters, you can start the medicine as soon as you feel these symptoms. Unfortunately, these medicines do not cure HSV infections.Treatment for primary and recurrent HSV infections are oral antiviral medications, such as acyclovir , valacyclovir , and famciclovir . Each of these medications is equally effective and usually taken for 710 days for primary infections and 15 days for recurrent infections. Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for these medicines for possible future outbreaks, as they are most effective if taken early on.More severe HSV infections may require additional medications such as:
Other Stis Causing Similar Symptoms
If you have sore, red blisters around your genitals then its very likely that you have herpes. However, there are some other infections that can cause symptoms you might mistake for herpes.
Genital warts
Genital warts are small, fleshy growths that develop around the genitals. They are usually painless but they can become itchy and inflamed, and in some cases they can bleed.
Syphilis
The first symptom of syphilis is a painless sore on the genitals. It is normal to have only one sore, although some people have several. If you have several sores and they are painful, it is more likely to be herpes than syphilis.
Trichomoniasis, pubic lice and scabies can cause itching and inflammation around the genitals. Scratching the affected area can cause soreness and break the skin, which you might mistake for herpes. However, if there are no blisters present then it is unlikely that you are infected.
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