Genital Herpes Symptoms

Genital herpes affects men and women alike and is most often spread by sexual contact. The virus is transmitted from one person to another by way of bodily fluids that permeate the skin or enter the mucus membranes. This means an individual can receive the virus in an open wound or any external opening of the body. At this time, there is no cure for the virus but treatment can help diminish the discomfort produced by genital herpes.

No Signs of Illness

Many carriers of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) do not experience symptoms. The virus may remain inactive in the body but can spread from one person to another. Individuals who have yet to experience an outbreak of genital herpes can unknowingly transmit the disease to others. People diagnosed with HSV must be careful all the time---the virus can be transmitted even when they are not having outbreaks.

Symptoms in Men

Genital herpes sores can appear as blisters or open sores on the penis, anus, thighs, scrotum, buttocks or even inside the urethra, where urine travels from the bladder and out the penis. These same areas may itch, burn or become painful. Initially, the bumps may be red but over time they split open and may emit liquid or blood. Like other external wounds, the sores will heal. Men with genital herpes may have only one outbreak, several outbreaks over their lifetime or even several per year.

Symptoms in Women

After contact with an individual infected with HSV, a woman may see red sores in the vaginal region. Like men, women may develop sores on the external genitals, buttocks, cervix or anus. When the sores split and begin to emit liquid or blood, it may be painful to urinate. All people may experience swollen lymph nodes, body aches, fever or headache during the initial onset of genital herpes.