Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. It is a common occurrence in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control say as many as one in six people from age 14 to 49 have herpes. Some people who have been infected with genital herpes may remain asymptomatic for weeks at a time.
According to the CDC, most people develop symptoms of herpes within the first two weeks of infection. Outbreaks can occur as often as twice a month or as seldom as once a year. The first outbreak is usually always the worst and will occur less often through the years.
Sores on the Penis
During an outbreak, sores will begin appearing on the penis and the genital area. These sores start out as small, red bumps that turn into watery blisters. According to Teens Health, these sores can make it difficult or painful to urinate. These blisters can rupture, ooze out and bleed. Within a few weeks, the sores will dry up and heal. Each time there is an outbreak, these sores will come back, but will be less intense each time. These blisters are the first sign of another herpes outbreak.
Flu-like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms include muscles aches, cough, sore throat and a general feeling of being unwell. Genital herpes can cause flu-like symptoms when first infected. These symptoms usually go away within a week and are followed by an outbreak of sores.
Fever
A fever occurs when there is an infection in the body. It is the body’s defense against any intruders that could cause it harm. The "New York Times" states a fever is characterized by an increase in the body’s temperature. If the body temperature rises above 99.5 degrees, it is considered a fever. A fever can be brought down by taking over-the-counter fever-reducers.
Swollen Glands
The lymph node glands are another line of defense against infections. When there is an infection present, these glands begin to produce more white blood cells that will kill off the infection. For this reason, they swell. The swelling of lymph nodes will occur in the area of infection. When there has been a herpes infection, the lymph nodes in the groin will swell.
Itching
The genital area will itch intensely immediately before a herpes outbreak. When scratched, it can feel like pinpricks underneath the skin. There are some creams that can help with itching, such as hydrocortisone creams and creams prescribed by a doctor.
