Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsHow it SpreadsHerpes in MenDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

How it Spreads

Herpes in Men

Diagnosis

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

This article discusses the signs and symptoms of genital herpes in males, including sex-specific risk factors and complications you may not be aware of.

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Man seeking care for genital herpes and healthcare provider at clinic

What Does Genital Herpes Look Like in Men?

Genital herpes looks like a cluster of blisters, though sometimes there is only one blister. When an outbreak first occurs, you will see:

Other symptoms can accompany the itching and tingling, particularly during the initial outbreak, including:

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. Some cases will be subclinical (meaning there are no symptoms or the symptoms are vague and not readily recognized), while others can be severe and physically debilitating.

Where genital herpes can differ in males is in their location. In addition to the penis and scrotum, herpes sores can frequently develop on or under the foreskin (also known as the prepuce).

People of any sex who receiveanal sexororal-anal sex(“rimming”) can also develop sores on the rectum.

What Triggers Herpes Outbreaks?Herpes triggers can include illness, stress, and hormonal changes. After a person is first infected, the herpes virus travels to nerve cells near the spine and stays there. When the virus is reactivated, it causes a new outbreak of sores and blisters.

What Triggers Herpes Outbreaks?

Herpes triggers can include illness, stress, and hormonal changes. After a person is first infected, the herpes virus travels to nerve cells near the spine and stays there. When the virus is reactivated, it causes a new outbreak of sores and blisters.

Photos of Herpes Rash

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.

You can get genital herpes if you come into contact with:

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.

Risk Factors in Males and Females

One of the main differences between genital herpes in males and genital herpes in females is the frequency of infection. Compared to women, men are half as likely to get HSV-2 due to vulnerabilities in the female genital tract.

Simply put, vaginas have larger areas ofmucosal membranesthan penises. These mucus-secreting tissues are porous and vulnerable to tears and infection. In circumcised men, mucosal tissues are limited to theurethra(the tube through which urine exits the body).

13 Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infections

How Common Is Genital Herpes in Men?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 8.2% of males between the age of 14 and 49 were living with HSV-2 in the United States in 2016 compared to 15.9% of females.

Genital Herpes Diagnosis

Genital herpes can be diagnosed with a physical exam, a swab of a sore, and a review of your medical history (including recent sexual contacts).

The swab is used to obtain cells that a specialist known as a pathologist can evaluate using lab tests such as:

There are also blood tests, calledenzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), that can detect immune proteins known asantibodiesspecific to HSV-1 and HSV-2. These tests are useful if you think you’ve been exposed to genital herpes through sexual contact but have no symptoms.

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 can differentiate genital herpes from conditions with similar symptoms, such as:

How Genital Herpes Is Diagnosed

Treatment of Genital Herpes

There is no cure for herpes. The treatment involves one of three oral antiviral drugs:

Antivirals can only prevent, shorten, or reduce the severity of an outbreak. 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.

Dosage and Duration

The dosage and duration of treatment for genital herpes can vary based on whether this is your first or subsequent outbreak.

If you have severe recurrent herpes, your healthcare provider may recommend suppressive therapy in which antivirals are taken at low doses every day to prevent outbreaks.

When to See a Healthcare ProviderWhile antivirals may have benefits if started within 72 hours of symptoms, many healthcare experts recommend that you wait no longer than 24 hours.You can even start treatment during the so-calledprodromal phasethat often precedes the outbreak of lesions, the symptoms of which may include:Itching or tingling in the area when outbreaks usually occurAching or shooting pains down the back of the legs or in the buttocksHeadache and malaise (a general feeling of unwellness)

When to See a Healthcare Provider

While antivirals may have benefits if started within 72 hours of symptoms, many healthcare experts recommend that you wait no longer than 24 hours.You can even start treatment during the so-calledprodromal phasethat often precedes the outbreak of lesions, the symptoms of which may include:Itching or tingling in the area when outbreaks usually occurAching or shooting pains down the back of the legs or in the buttocksHeadache and malaise (a general feeling of unwellness)

While antivirals may have benefits if started within 72 hours of symptoms, many healthcare experts recommend that you wait no longer than 24 hours.

You can even start treatment during the so-calledprodromal phasethat often precedes the outbreak of lesions, the symptoms of which may include:

Prevention of Herpes

Possible Complications

Genital herpes complications include:

Summary

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.

Living and Dating With Genital Herpes

Frequently Asked QuestionsGenital herpes can sometimes be mistaken for penile thrush, particularly in people with an uncircumcised penis. The fungal infection can cause redness, swelling, and the formation of tiny blisters under the foreskin and on the head of the penis.Genital herpes can also be mistaken forsyphilisif the outbreak is limited and causes a single large sore on the penis.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.Learn MoreIncubation Timeline for Genital Herpes

Genital herpes can sometimes be mistaken for penile thrush, particularly in people with an uncircumcised penis. The fungal infection can cause redness, swelling, and the formation of tiny blisters under the foreskin and on the head of the penis.Genital herpes can also be mistaken forsyphilisif the outbreak is limited and causes a single large sore on the penis.

Genital herpes can sometimes be mistaken for penile thrush, particularly in people with an uncircumcised penis. The fungal infection can cause redness, swelling, and the formation of tiny blisters under the foreskin and on the head of the penis.

Genital herpes can also be mistaken forsyphilisif the outbreak is limited and causes a single large sore on the penis.

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.Learn MoreIncubation Timeline for Genital Herpes

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.

Learn MoreIncubation Timeline for Genital Herpes

16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310–1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC fact sheet (detailed).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: genital herpes.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Why does herpes cause repeated outbreaks?Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Anderson NW, Buchan BW, Ledeboer NA.Light microscopy, culture, molecular, and serologic methods for detection of herpes simplex virus.J Clin Microbiol. 2014;52(1):2-8. doi:10.1128/JCM.01966-13World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Groves MJ,Genital herpes: a review.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(11):928-34Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC fact sheet (detailed).Magdaleno-Tapial J, Hernández-Be P, Ortiz-Salvador JM, et al.Herpes zoster: a rare location that can mimic genital herpes.Sex Transmitted Dis.2022;49(1):E34-36. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001465Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16Gonzalez-Beira C, Marks M, Chen CY, Roberts S, Mitja O.Epidemiology ofHaemophilus ducreyiinfections.Emerg Infect Dis.2016;22(1):1-8.Belda W.Donavanosis.An Bras Dermatol.2020;95(6):675–683. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2020.07.002World Health Organization.WHO guidelines for the treatment of genital herpes simplex virus.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Herpes meningoencephalitis.Sigle GW, Kim R.Sexually transmitted proctitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):70-78. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1547334

16 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310–1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC fact sheet (detailed).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: genital herpes.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Why does herpes cause repeated outbreaks?Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Anderson NW, Buchan BW, Ledeboer NA.Light microscopy, culture, molecular, and serologic methods for detection of herpes simplex virus.J Clin Microbiol. 2014;52(1):2-8. doi:10.1128/JCM.01966-13World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Groves MJ,Genital herpes: a review.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(11):928-34Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC fact sheet (detailed).Magdaleno-Tapial J, Hernández-Be P, Ortiz-Salvador JM, et al.Herpes zoster: a rare location that can mimic genital herpes.Sex Transmitted Dis.2022;49(1):E34-36. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001465Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16Gonzalez-Beira C, Marks M, Chen CY, Roberts S, Mitja O.Epidemiology ofHaemophilus ducreyiinfections.Emerg Infect Dis.2016;22(1):1-8.Belda W.Donavanosis.An Bras Dermatol.2020;95(6):675–683. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2020.07.002World Health Organization.WHO guidelines for the treatment of genital herpes simplex virus.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Herpes meningoencephalitis.Sigle GW, Kim R.Sexually transmitted proctitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):70-78. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1547334

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310–1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC fact sheet (detailed).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: genital herpes.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Why does herpes cause repeated outbreaks?Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Anderson NW, Buchan BW, Ledeboer NA.Light microscopy, culture, molecular, and serologic methods for detection of herpes simplex virus.J Clin Microbiol. 2014;52(1):2-8. doi:10.1128/JCM.01966-13World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Groves MJ,Genital herpes: a review.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(11):928-34Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC fact sheet (detailed).Magdaleno-Tapial J, Hernández-Be P, Ortiz-Salvador JM, et al.Herpes zoster: a rare location that can mimic genital herpes.Sex Transmitted Dis.2022;49(1):E34-36. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001465Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16Gonzalez-Beira C, Marks M, Chen CY, Roberts S, Mitja O.Epidemiology ofHaemophilus ducreyiinfections.Emerg Infect Dis.2016;22(1):1-8.Belda W.Donavanosis.An Bras Dermatol.2020;95(6):675–683. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2020.07.002World Health Organization.WHO guidelines for the treatment of genital herpes simplex virus.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Herpes meningoencephalitis.Sigle GW, Kim R.Sexually transmitted proctitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):70-78. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1547334

Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016;76(12):1310–1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC fact sheet (detailed).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: genital herpes.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Why does herpes cause repeated outbreaks?

Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.

Anderson NW, Buchan BW, Ledeboer NA.Light microscopy, culture, molecular, and serologic methods for detection of herpes simplex virus.J Clin Microbiol. 2014;52(1):2-8. doi:10.1128/JCM.01966-13

World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.

Groves MJ,Genital herpes: a review.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(11):928-34

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC fact sheet (detailed).

Magdaleno-Tapial J, Hernández-Be P, Ortiz-Salvador JM, et al.Herpes zoster: a rare location that can mimic genital herpes.Sex Transmitted Dis.2022;49(1):E34-36. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001465

Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16

Gonzalez-Beira C, Marks M, Chen CY, Roberts S, Mitja O.Epidemiology ofHaemophilus ducreyiinfections.Emerg Infect Dis.2016;22(1):1-8.

Belda W.Donavanosis.An Bras Dermatol.2020;95(6):675–683. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2020.07.002

World Health Organization.WHO guidelines for the treatment of genital herpes simplex virus.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Herpes meningoencephalitis.

Sigle GW, Kim R.Sexually transmitted proctitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):70-78. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1547334

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