Herpetic rashes on the genitals in men are a sign of an infectious disease caused by type 2 herpesvirus. The disease can lead to the development of dangerous complications, so it must be treated promptly.
Herpetic rashes on the genitals in men are a sign of an infectious disease.
Reasons for development
Herpes on the penis develops not only as a result of unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner, but also for other reasons. Among them are the following:
- Transmission of the virus through sexual contact is the most common way for herpes to appear on the penis. Moreover, even the use of contraceptives does not provide 100% protection against the virus, since herpes cells are smaller than the pores of condoms. In addition, do not forget that this skin disease is transmitted through both vaginal and anal sex.
- The household method of infection becomes possible due to the fact that herpes is highly resistant to external influences. In this case, you can become infected due to the use of shared bed linen or towels with an infected person.
- Blood transfusion (through blood). This is the rarest variant of infection. Most often, the herpes virus enters the blood serum during the transfusion process.
Before curing herpes on the penis, it should be taken into account that the appearance of rashes on the external genital organs indicates the activation of the disease, especially with an accompanying cold.
When diagnosing such a disease, you should abstain from sexual contact for a while.
Diagnostics
Most often, herpes is found on the head of the penis, since this is the most vulnerable part of the male genitals to infections. You can also identify signs of the disease in the scrotum and pubis.
To make a diagnosis, an examination by a urologist or venereologist is most often sufficient. In order to make sure there are no other infections and to determine what type of virus provoked herpes in men on the penis, additional blood tests may be required, as well as taking samples of biomaterial from the areas affected by the rash.
Symptoms and stages of pathology
The most obvious sign of herpes is the formation of blisters on the penis, inside of which there is a cloudy or clear liquid. In this case, the rash can occur anywhere in the genitourinary system, including the head of the penis. The blisters often itch and rupture, which can cause an open wound to become infected . Characteristic symptoms of herpes :
- bubbles can unite, as a result of which they begin to look more voluminous;
- constant itching appears in the genital area;
- possible painful sensations during urination;
- the general condition of the body is weakened;
- lymph nodes in the groin are enlarged;
- the patient's general body temperature may increase;
- appetite decreases.
At the same time, the number of bubbles gradually increases. It’s good if they go away on their own, otherwise you need to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible, who will conduct an examination and prescribe suitable medications in the form of tablets, ointments and other dosage forms . The disease has 3 stages:
- Prodromal . The duration of this phase ranges from 3 to 5 days. Signs of herpes manifest themselves in the form of fever, weakened general condition, muscle weakness, drowsiness and itching in the genital area.
- Rash formation phase . Duration - from 5 to 7 days. At this time, bubbles appear on the penis.
- Recovery stage . At this stage, instead of bubbles, dense crusts form and the accompanying symptoms of the pathology disappear.
Signs of genital herpes
At the initial stage of the disease, a person is worried about a slight increase in body temperature, general malaise and poor health. Small groups of blisters, often painful, appear around the genitals and/or anus. There may be visible changes on the skin of the labia, as well as the clitoris, in the area of the vaginal opening, on the thighs around the anus.
Herpes blisters
The blisters grow for one to two weeks before bursting and turning into small, painful sores. Lymphatic inguinal nodes are enlarged and identified, palpated as compactions, lumps in the upper thighs. Painful urination is often a concern.
Women may experience unusual vaginal discharge. The herpes virus in women affects the cervix, first blisters appear on it, then ulcers appear. Typically, blisters and ulcerative lesions develop within 10-20 days, after which they gradually disappear without leaving scars.
The first symptoms of genital herpes may appear months or even years after infection. Therefore, the first wave of symptoms may occur while a person is married or in a long-term relationship with a reliable partner.
It is not entirely known why some people experience symptoms of infection and others do not. It is also not fully understood why the first wave of symptoms occurs months or years after the actual infection. This may have to do with how the immune system responds to the virus in individuals.
Diagnostic techniques
Treatment for herpes on the penis is selected only after a thorough diagnosis. Most often, a visual examination is performed for this, but sometimes the doctor may additionally prescribe tests:
- Virological examination. The laboratory examines the substance that is inside the bubbles.
- Immunological research. Performed when the patient experiences a recurrence of herpes. The essence of the technique is that with repeated development of the disease, the number of antibodies increases by 3-4 times.
- Cytological diagnosis. The technique is based on the principle that the causative agent of the disease is integrated into the DNA, and accordingly, additional inclusions can be found in the cellular tissues.
- Colposcopy. This research method is aimed at identifying pathological changes in the tissue structures of the mucous membranes.
- Molecular biological diagnostics. With this analysis, specialists try to find pathologies in DNA fragments.
These tests are prescribed in very rare cases, since most often the disease is determined visually.
What is genital herpes
The content of the article
Genital herpes is one of the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases in both men and women. The causative agent is the herpes simplex virus type HSV-1 and HSV-2. In many people, the disease is completely asymptomatic, so the likelihood of infection through sexual contact is very high.
Symptoms of genital herpes are easy to recognize by visual examination. Mild pain and changes appear on the skin of the genitals and perineum, resembling blisters. The first wave of the disease can last from 2 to 3 weeks, sometimes less. When the disease relapses, the symptoms of GG are usually less disturbing than the first time.
Special antiviral drugs alleviate the condition. Patients whose symptoms of genital herpes appear regularly are forced to take medications every day.
Treatment options
When the herpes virus is dormant, it poses no danger. If ulcers and wounds appear in the groin area, pathogenic bacteria can enter them.
This pathology poses a particular threat to women carrying a child. Herpes can be transmitted through sexual contact, so there is a high chance that a man will infect his pregnant wife.
A large number of medications are used to treat the disease:
- Most often, Valacyclovir or Acyclovir is used in the treatment of herpes on the penis;
- the doctor also often prescribes special ointments, creams and gels that have a wound-healing effect (Depanthenol, Viru-Merz serol, Tebrofen ointment);
- due to the fact that herpes worsens against the background of a weakened immune system, the patient is additionally prescribed immunomodulator drugs (ginseng tincture, Immunal, etc.);
- In addition, antiviral agents are used (Valtrex, Famvir, Famciclovir, etc.).
Herpes is not a new disease, so traditional recipes have long been used to treat it. The most effective of them:
- Honey and celandine. To prepare the medicinal mixture, you need to mix 50 g of honey and celandine ground in a meat grinder to a thick consistency and apply to the problem area for 20-30 minutes. Then the treated area should be thoroughly rinsed with warm water.
- Kalina. The berries of this plant must be thoroughly crushed and poured with hot water for 3-4 hours. It should be 2 times more than viburnum. The infusion should be drunk 100 ml up to three times a day for 3 weeks.
How to diagnose genital herpes
To diagnose the disease, a visual examination is generally sufficient. The type of changes, their location and other symptoms are sufficiently characteristic to make a diagnosis of genital herpes.
In case of doubt and for invasive infections, carry out:
- Isolation of the virus from a cell culture, examining the smear or the content of the bubbles, however, the absence of the virus in dilution (negative result) does not exclude infection;
- The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is a more sensitive method of testing a smear or fluid from the rash, but a negative result also does not rule out infection.
- Serological study. Allows the detection of antibodies to the HSV virus, which appear after a few weeks, as well as differentiation of the type of virus that caused the infection.
If antibodies against HSV-2 are detected, genital herpes is diagnosed, which poses a higher risk of relapse of the disease. Antibodies against HSV-1 indicate herpes simplex virus, so there is less chance of recurrence of lesions in the genital area.
Genital Herpes – Symptom Relief at Home
A cold compress (ice cubes wrapped in a towel) placed on the lower abdomen for 5-10 minutes may provide relief. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
It is important to take in plenty of fluids.
Scented soaps, bath products and other similar products that may irritate the skin should be avoided. The best results are obtained by gently washing the genital area with a cotton swab and water. You cannot share towels, washcloths, or sponges. This minimizes the risk of infection to other family members.
Sexual abstinence is recommended until the blisters and ulcers disappear.
Genital herpes during pregnancy
To prevent genital herpes from developing in a child, a woman who has ever had symptoms of the disease should see a doctor (sometimes delivery by cesarean section is recommended). Sexual intercourse is prohibited from the third trimester of pregnancy if the woman’s partner not only has signs of genital herpes, but also suffered from the disease in the past. During this period, the risk of fetal infection is very high.
For many years, the development of an effective vaccine against genital herpes has been underway, unfortunately, so far to no avail.
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