The Mayo Clinic reports that genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease that occurs in both men and women. The disease is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 and type 2. Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) is often the cause of oral lesions, while herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) leads to genital lesions. Exposure to one type of virus can lead to the development of the other, according to the Mayo Clinic. The initial symptoms of herpes in men may be recognizable, but if it is the first outbreak, they may also go unnoticed.
Primary Outbreak Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic states that men may not experience any symptoms after first contracting the herpes virus. Others may experience a more severe outbreak the first time. The Mayo Clinic says that some men will experience flu-like symptoms including headache, aching joints, tiredness, fever and/or pain in the legs. Other symptoms may include swelling of the lymph nodes.
Initial Herpes Symptoms
The first signs of a herpes outbreak on the genitals and mouth, as indicated by the Mayo Clinic, include itching, redness or irritation of the skin where the lesions will soon appear. Men may not recognize these symptoms as an outbreak until they have experienced more than one. After several days, small red blisters will appear on the skin. Genital herpes can develop on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus, thighs or inside the urethra, according to the Mayo Clinic. Oral lesions can appear on the lips, near the lips and sometimes on the tongue.
Ulcers
After several days, the blisters will rupture and become ulcers that ooze liquid or blood. From the time that the blisters occur until the scabs heal, men will experience pain or discomfort when moving the tissues affected by the herpes. The University of Michigan says that men may have trouble urinating due to discomfort and pain from genital herpes.
