Genital herpes in men: signs, what it looks like and treatment

Causes of genital herpes on the penis

Genital herpes is a highly contagious pathology. In other words, the probability of a person becoming infected through contact with a sick person is 100%. This virus cannot be destroyed. According to the latest statistics, 90% of the entire population on Earth is infected with it.

It is worth knowing: previously it was believed that genital herpes develops only due to the second type of virus. But according to recent studies, it has been found that herpetic rashes in the perineal area can appear due to infection with HSV type 1, which is characterized by a rash similar to colds.

Infection with the virus does not mean that a man will immediately become ill and develop herpes on the penis. This is due to the state of the human immune system. If the immune system is strong, the virus will go into a latent state, but if the body’s barrier functions are disrupted, it will definitely “wake up” and manifest itself.

Genital herpes is transmitted through oral, vaginal or anal sex. The first type is most often infected by air or droplets. The everyday route is quite rare. Self-infection cannot be ruled out: when a patient touches wounds on the lips and then touches the genitals with them.

Risk factors for infection include the following:

Frequent change of sexual partners;
Not using condoms;
Chronic fatigue;
Decreased immune status;
Deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body;
Excessive physical activity;
Recent influenza or other diseases that have weakened the immune system;
Immunodeficiency virus;
Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, etc.

All factors that suppress the immune system against the background of genital herpes in men are also causes of exacerbation of the disease.

Prevention measures

To prevent primary infection, experts strongly recommend using barrier methods of contraception and having a regular sexual partner. Proper, balanced nutrition, adherence to a work and rest schedule, and taking vitamin complexes will help strengthen your immune system.

It is recommended to avoid stressful situations, ensure a normal, full night's sleep, and promptly treat pathologies of the urinary system, as well as colds. This will avoid weakening the immune system.

It is quite difficult to prevent the recurrence of the disease, but the principles of a healthy lifestyle, including the exclusion of alcohol and cigarettes, can significantly reduce the risk. If symptoms of herpes appear, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Symptoms of genital herpes in men

Genital herpes in men in most cases begins to manifest itself acutely. Primary symptoms are similar to those of a respiratory disease. There is a severe headache, discomfort in the lumbar region, an increase in body temperature, apathy, weakness and general malaise. After a short time, there is itching and burning in the perineal area.

For information, the clinic of primary herpes develops 3-15 days after infection, persists for 20-30 days, and tends to increase during the first week.

Herpes of the penis is manifested by the following symptoms:

In the area of the affected skin and mucous membrane, hyperemia, swelling, then burning and itching develop.
After a short time, small bubbles with a cloudy liquid exudate form on the head and foreskin. The formation of vesicles is accompanied by general symptoms: pain, fever, discomfort in muscles and joints, sleep disturbance, nausea, vomiting (relatively rare).
The lymph nodes in the groin are enlarged, there is swelling of the scrotum and reproductive organ. Urination is painful.
After 7 days of illness, the blisters ulcerate, resulting in the formation of small ulcers. They usually don't merge. They become crusty, do not bleed, heal quickly - no scars remain.
Primary herpes on the head of the reproductive organ is accompanied by symmetrical rashes.
As the ulcers disappear (heal), the symptoms level out and the severity of discomfort decreases.

If herpes in men on the head of the penis is combined with secondary infection, then the clinical manifestations are more intense, and purulent contents with an unpleasant odor are released from the vesicles.

Combination of drugs

Acyclovir is prescribed more often than other drugs, but if it does not cope with the rapid development of genital herpes, due to the formation of immunity to this drug, the doctor prescribes the use of Famciclovir. Its usual dosage is 3 tablets per day in a weekly course.

Valaciclovir is considered a more modern drug than others. It is taken twice a day for five days, 500 mg.

If the disease is extremely severe, the doctor may discontinue the use of tablets and ointments and prescribe intravenous antiviral drugs according to an individual regimen.

In the complex of therapy, Cycloferon, Viferon and other immune modulators are used, as well as general body strengthening agents. The patient takes a number of vitamins; tinctures of ginseng and eleutherococcus are indicative of use.

In an individual treatment regimen, the administration of immunoglobulin may be suggested. The combined use of Panavir gel and Gerpferon ointment shows significant effectiveness.

Forms of the disease

In medical practice, genital herpes is classified into primary and recurrent disease. Primary disease is said to occur when symptoms are observed for the first time after infection - this can happen a few weeks or a couple of months after it. The recurrent form is a periodic exacerbation of the pathology against the background of disruption of the immune system.

Depending on the number of exacerbations of the recurrent type, three degrees of severity of the pathology are distinguished:

Mild – up to three relapses in 12 months;
Moderate – exacerbation varies from 4 to 6 times every 12 months;
Severe – exacerbation occurs every month.

The recurrent form is much more difficult to cure, since even the slightest decrease in immunity leads to a new round of exacerbation. In turn, this form is classified into certain types:

Atypical microsymptomatic type. Symptoms are present, but do not cause significant discomfort to the patient. Herpes on the penis appears as small cracks and minor itching.
Atypical macrosymptomatic. Clinical manifestations are intense, but only individual symptoms are detected. The patient complains of pain and burning in the genital area, there are few or no blisters.
Abortion occurs most often in men who have previously undergone antiviral treatment.
The asymptomatic form is the most dangerous form of herpes on the genital organ, since there are no symptoms, and the patient continues to be sexually active, infecting his partners.

Symptoms of the atypical form are the most common; they are diagnosed in 60-80% of the stronger sex. The atypical type of pathology is divided into the following types:

Hydropic. There is severe swelling of the penis and scrotum;
Hemorrhagic. The blisters on the penis are filled with bloody exudate;
Necrotic. In place of the burst blisters, ulcers form, which do not heal for a long time, resulting in tissue necrosis;
Rupioid. After ulcers, crusts remain for a long time;
Subclinical - microcracks form in the affected area, which are accompanied by discomfort. They pass quickly. There are no other symptoms.

The abortive form is characterized by rapid resolution of the pathological process - no more than three days. In other words, its course is short. This form is divided into erythematous, papular and neurotic types.

Folk remedies

To alleviate the condition, strengthen the body and prevent complications, experts allow the use of alternative medicine recipes.

The products are prepared using natural ingredients, rarely cause harm, and allow you to reduce the number of medications you take.

The following are considered the most effective:

Chamomile infusion has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effect, strengthens the immune system, and accelerates recovery. It must be taken orally. It’s simple to prepare the composition: separate a teaspoon of herbs and add a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes to infuse, filter the drink. Drink no more than 2 glasses per day for 2 weeks.
Alcohol infusion of calendula can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared yourself. The second option is more preferable. It is necessary to chop 20 g of marigolds, place them in a glass container, add 100 ml of alcohol or vodka, and leave for 10 days. Use the filtered medicine at any time of the day in the amount of 20 drops. The duration of the course is at least 14 days. The product has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Aloe juice can be used as an external remedy to treat ulcers and speed up their healing. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, therefore preventing wound infections. Every day you need to prepare fresh juice by crushing the leaves of the plant and squeezing them through cheesecloth. Treat the affected areas 2-3 times a day until the burning, pain and itching disappear.

The use of traditional medicine recipes is permitted only after consultation with a specialist. Natural medicines do not replace medications.

Diagnosis and danger of genital herpes

All methods for diagnosing the herpes virus in the body can be divided into two types: identifying the direct virus and antibodies to it. The clinic of the disease in 99% of cases makes it possible to make a correct diagnosis without laboratory diagnostics. In cases where the course of the disease is not characterized by symptoms, laboratory methods are used.

The collection of biological material to establish a diagnosis is carried out using various methods: they take urine, blood, mucus from the urethral canal, and the contents of pathological neoplasms.

Most often, PCR diagnostics are performed, which allows you to find the DNA of the virus. The main advantage of this research method is the ability to 100% accurately determine the type of pathogen in a man’s body. Using this technique, you can find even a small concentration of the virus. ELISA – enzyme immunoassay is also carried out. It helps identify antibodies to the herpes virus.

The mechanism of virus development in the body

The incubation period takes from 1 to 26 days. For the virus to penetrate, an entry gate is always needed - microtrauma of the skin or mucous membranes.

The source becomes a patient in the active phase or a carrier. The external manifestation of the infection is a rash in the form of a whole scattering of transparent blisters on the skin filled with lymphatic fluid. This is accompanied by itching, fever, and painful sensations.

The brightest picture is during primary infection. But even if there is no clinic, the danger of the virus does not decrease.

In response to the penetration of the virus, the immune system immediately reacts: the production of specific immunoglobulins M and G begins - these are IgM and IgG antibodies.

IgM appears immediately at the beginning of the infection process and indicates the acute stage. IgG is produced later and becomes a marker of immunological memory.

They are already present in the blood constantly. Immunoglobulins contain the virus, causing it to remain dormant so that there are no active negative manifestations.

During an exacerbation of herpes, class G immunoglobulins immediately react, and the clinical picture of relapse is mitigated. After recovery, the pathogen continues to remain in the body tissues for life.

Treatment of herpes on the penis

Herpes on the head of the penis must be treated. Ignoring the symptoms leads to active reproduction of the virus in the body, which provokes complications in various organs and systems.

Medications

First of all, the use of antiviral medications is recommended. They help stop the active reproduction of the virus, which helps relieve negative symptoms. Antiviral drugs are prescribed systemically - tablets or local - ointment, cream, gel, solution. It is better to treat the disease comprehensively, using both medications.

Important: etiotropic treatment involves the use of drugs such as Acyclovir, Panavir. The duration of the course is 7-10 days or until the discomfort symptoms completely disappear.

When the severity of symptoms has decreased, B vitamins are administered and the use of antihistamines, immunostimulants and immunomodulators is prescribed. The treatment regimen may include the following medications:

Lavomax;
Dibazol.

At the third stage of the therapeutic course, after antiviral and restorative treatment, vaccination is carried out. The vaccine is given only in cases where the duration of remission is at least 60 days.

Treatment and preventive measures

Below are drugs that have a highly effective therapeutic effect:

Acyclovir is an original antiviral drug with selective activity. The product is available in the form of ointments and tablets. The tablets fight infection at an organic level, suppressing the growth of pathogens. And the ointment helps eliminate external signs of the disease: reduces itching and pain, prevents the rash from spreading to healthy areas of the skin. To achieve maximum effect, doctors advise taking pills and using ointment for external treatment of vesicles at the same time.
Penciclovir is widely used by men for type 2 herpes.
Docosanol does not cause an allergic reaction when the cream is applied to the mucous membranes of organs.
Valaciclovir in tablet form is used when a man fears for his own health or the health of his beloved woman. Using the drug reduces the risk of sexual transmission of infection.
Polyoxidonium strengthens the body's immune forces, cleanses the walls of blood vessels from harmful substances that are waste products of viral cells. Men are prescribed the drug in the form of rectal suppositories.
Oxolinic ointment has an antiherpetic effect. The use of the drug is classified as a method of treating the disease at home, since the remedy does not have an evidence base based on numerous clinical studies. It is believed that an ointment with a 3% concentration of oxoline promotes tissue regeneration in a short time.

Under no circumstances should vesicles be cauterized with iodine. Particular care should be taken when using traditional medicine to avoid a number of complications.

Consequences for children

Children suffer from herpes much more severely than adults, and the consequences of herpes in children are always pronounced. For newborns, the virus is generally fatal - inflammatory processes occur in the respiratory system, vision, and blindness and deafness can develop. In adulthood, such men and women are infertile.

The most dangerous thing is brain damage in the form of encephalitis. Even early intensive treatment will not restore his functions, and the child remains disabled.

In children under 1 year of age, the following consequences of herpes are observed:

loss of smell;
myocarditis;
meningitis;
encephalopathy.

General signs

After entering the body, the virus must gain a foothold and go through an incubation period. From the moment of infection, 3 to 10 days will pass and it will be possible to observe firsthand the sad consequences of violent, indiscriminate passion. First, general signs will begin to appear indicating the presence of infection in the body:

the general condition of the body worsens;
malaise and weakness appear;
body temperature rises and febrile manifestations occur;
muscle pain appears.

What can't you do?

It will not be possible to completely avoid contact with the virus given its prevalence, but precautions will reduce this possibility.

Can help:

Early consultation with a doctor.
Use antivirals rather than antibiotics.
Do not scratch the rash areas.
Do not touch the rash and wash your hands after each contact with the affected area.
Support immunity.
Do not touch your eyes with your hands! This is true for women who wear makeup.
Do not take someone else's lipstick and do not give your own. The same applies to other cosmetics.
Do not wet contact lenses with saliva.
Do not share a cigarette with others, do not allow others to light it.

To avoid further infection, do not squeeze out the blisters or pick off the scabs - this has never helped anyone recover; exclude oral sex from your range of preferences.

Have only your own towel, do not use other people's utensils and do not drink from other people's cups.