Herpes is an infection caused by one of two viruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. Men can contract either strain of the herpes virus. KidsHealth.org points out that HSV-2 is most often responsible for genital herpes while HSV-1 causes oral herpes. Either virus can be transmitted from one region of the body to another, meaning genital herpes can cause oral herpes, and the reverse is true, too.
No Symptoms
MayoClinic.com indicates that a majority of people infected with HSV don't realize they have the disease due to a lack of signs or symptoms. This is true of both genital and oral herpes. Sometimes the first outbreak goes unnoticed. Not all men will have recurrent outbreaks and a great deal of time may pass between the first and any subsequent herpes occurrences.
Skin Issues
Whether a man has contracted oral or genital herpes, two weeks after contracting the virus he may experience warning signs that an outbreak is about to occur. These prodrome symptoms affect the skin tissues that will soon have blisters. This includes the lips, nasal passages, cheeks and the chin, according to the American Social Health Association. Genital herpes in men affect the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus or thighs. The warning signs can include redness, tenderness, tingling, numbness, pain and itching.
Feeling Ill
With genital herpes, a man may develop flu-like symptoms including body aches, fever and swollen glands. The American Social Health Association indicates that most of these symptoms are more common with the initial genital herpes outbreak or they will be less severe in future outbreaks. Oral herpes tends to only include swelling in the lymph nodes and a slight fever.
Blisters
A few days after the warning symptoms occur, the skin will develop small red bumps. These bumps will soon become fluid-filled blisters. The blister is clear or cloudy and surrounded by red, irritated skin. The blisters can make it very painful to move the affected skin, such as when urinating or talking. Over the course of two or three days, they will burst and emit a clear or bloody liquid before forming a scab. A few days after the scab forms it will fall off and reveal reddened skin. This skin will appear normal within a few days. During the scab phase of the blisters, it is possible for new herpes to appear.
