Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes is most commonly associated with oral and genital infections, although, in rare cases, it can also cause other kinds of infections in the internal organs, brain and spinal cord. Some of the symptoms men get when they have herpes are different from the symptoms that women get.
Flulike Illness
Many people with herpes complain of flulike illness shortly before the appearance of herpes lesions, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, lack of appetite, and malaise. Unlike in true influenza infection, respiratory symptoms such as cough and cold are absent. Fever usually persists for three to seven days; other symptoms may last up to two weeks. Symptoms are most severe during the initial outbreak and become progressively less severe with recurrence. These symptoms are the same in men and women and are common to all herpes infections.
Skin Lesions
Skin lesions are the classic manifestation of herpes. Herpes skin lesions begin as small (1 to 2 mm), painful blisters filled with clear or cloudy yellowish fluid on a base of reddish, raised skin. Often, there is a central depression. Within three to four days, the lesions rupture and crust, at which point they may become very itchy. Oral herpes lesions are the same in both genders. In men, genital herpes lesions may be found on the shaft or head of the penis, scrotum, perianal area, thighs or buttocks. Lesions ultimately heal without scarring. During the first outbreak, healing may take two to four weeks, according to a 2005 article in the "American Family Physician." In recurrent outbreaks, the lesions usually resolve in one week.
Proctitis
According to Dr. John Beauman of the U.S. Army, herpes proctitis (inflammation of the lower intestine and rectum) is common among homosexual men, although it can occur in anyone with genital herpes, including people who do not engage in anal receptive intercourse. Symptoms of herpes proctitis include perirectal lesions, perirectal pain, painful defecation, blood in stool and nonstool rectal discharge (blood or pus---usually foul smelling). Herpes proctitis is frequently complicated by secondary bacterial infections due to mechanical trauma from anal receptive intercourse and passing stool and the large amounts of bacteria that are naturally present in stool.
Urethritis and Prostatitis
Uncommon complications of herpes in men include urethritis and prostatitis, according to Dr. Lawrence Corey, chairman of virology at the University of Washington College of Medicine. Symptoms of herpes urethritis include clear, mucousy penile discharge; painful urination; and frequent urination. In severe disease, small amounts of blood may be present in the urine. Usually, cultures are required to exclude other causes of urethritis. Prostatitis presents with difficult or painful urination, frequent urination, groin or back pain, and erectile dysfunction.
Herpes Gladiatorum
Herpes infections of the chest, ears, face (other than the mouth) and hands have been described among male wrestlers and are called "herpes gladiatorum," according to Dr. Corey. Herpes infections in these areas are otherwise uncommon; however, skin trauma associated with wrestling provides a likely mechanism. Herpes gladiatorum can occur in men or women with a history of skin trauma, although women less commonly report a history of wrestling.
References
- MedlinePlus: Herpes Simplex
- "American Family Physician"; Genital Herpes: A Review; J.G. Beauman; Oct. 15, 2005
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," 17th edition; A.S. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, D.L. Longer, J.L. Jameson and J. Loscalzo; 2008
