infectious diseases
Genital Herpes
Symptoms and Signs of Genital Herpes
Most cases of primary genital herpes do not cause noticeable symptoms; many people infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 do not know that they have genital herpes. Primary genital lesions develop 4 to 7 days after contact. The vesicles usually erode to form ulcers that may coalesce. Lesions may occur in the following locations: On the prepuce, glans penis, and penile shaft in men On the labia, clitoris, perineum, vagina, and cervix in women Around the anus and in the rectum in men or women who engage in receptive rectal intercourse This photo shows pustules in primary genital herpes of the vulva. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows ulcerations in the vulva that are caused by genital herpes. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows vesicles and ulcers in the vulva of a woman with recurrent genital herpes. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows a cluster of vesicles on the penile shaft in a man with genital herpes. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows groups and clusters of vesicles and ulcers in a man with primary genital herpes. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows widespread ulceration of the penis and scrotum due to coalescence of smaller lesions in a man with severe genital herpes infection. © Springer Science+Business Media Urinary hesitancy, dysuria, urinary retention, constipation, or severe sacral neuralgia may occur. Scarring may follow healing. The lesions recur in 80% of patients with HSV-2 and in 50% of those with HSV-1. Primary genital lesions are usually more painful, prolonged, and widespread, involve regional adenopathy, and are more likely to be accompanied by constitutional symptoms than recurrent genital lesions. Recurrent lesions tend to be milder and cause fewer symptoms. 