Infection occurs when the penis comes in contact with herpes present in the vagina, anus or mouth of a sexual partner. Genital herpes resulting from oral sex is usually caused by HSV type 1. Spread of herpes occurs by direct contact with infected mucus or saliva, almost always through sexual activity. Following infection the herpes virus enters a resting phase but remains present in the body for life. The Illness Many men who catch herpes infection for the first time have either no symptoms or only a brief period of discomfort with urination.
More severe cases have small blisters appearing on the tip or shaft of the penis.
During the first episode these sores are painful and can persist for 1 to 2 weeks, with new blisters appearing as the early ones begin to heal. A burning pain on urination, sometimes accompanied by clear discharge from the tip of the penis, is common. Fever, tiredness, headache and muscle aches are common during the early days of illness. After the initial episode of genital herpes, it is common to have several more outbreaks within the next year. These later infections heal much more quickly than the first and are usually not very painful.