How Is Herpes Simplex Virus Different in Men? Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment

Herpes is more common than many people realize. It’s an infection that can cause painful sores around the mouth or genitals. Many men don’t know they have it because it doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms. But even without symptoms, herpes can spread from person to person. And once you have it, it’s a lifelong condition. So, we’ll go through the key facts about symptoms, transmission, and testing in men. This way, you can keep yourself and your partners protected.

How common is herpes in men?

Herpes can be caused by two different viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). These are common infections in both men and women. Since people aren’t regularly tested for HSV, these numbers are likely an underestimate. Around the world:

• About 65% of people under age 50 have HSV-1. 

• About 13% of people have HSV-2. 

HSV-1 is more likely to cause oral herpes. HSV-2 is more likely to cause genital herpes. But either virus can lead to oral or genital herpes. In fact, HSV-1 is now responsible for about half of the cases of genital herpes. HSV-1 is also more common among women than men.

Compared to men, women make up nearly double the number of cases of herpes caused by HSV-2. This is because, when herpes is sexually transmitted, it spreads more easily from men to women. But many men with herpes could be unaware of their condition. This is because symptoms may be mild or not present at all.

How do men get herpes?

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread in varying ways. These methods are the same for men and women. HSV-1 is usually spread through:

• Contact with someone who has open sores

• Contact between your own body parts where there are open sores

• Saliva, even when there are no active sores

• Contact with contaminated objects, including drinks

• High contact sports, such as rugby and wrestling

HSV-2 is transmitted in a similar way to HSV-1. The main difference is that HSV-2 is more likely than HSV-1 to be transmitted through sexual contact. It may be transmitted by:

• Contact with someone who has open sores

• Contact between your own body parts where there are open sores

• Sexual contact with someone who has the virus, even if they have no symptoms or open sores 

Many people have wondered whether you can get genital herpes from toilet seats. While the virus can live on surfaces, it’s highly unlikely for HSV-2 to be transmitted this way.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What are the chances of getting herpes from an infected partner? Learn important details about herpes transmission and how you can reduce your risk of getting it from a partner.

• Living with genital herpes: One man shares his experience with getting herpes in his 20s. And how he overcame the stigma.

• Can you have herpes and not know it? Yes. Many people have herpes and don’t know it. But they can still spread the virus without symptoms.

Common symptoms of herpes in men

Symptoms of herpes in men aren’t always present when they first get infected. When symptoms do develop, they can appear:

• As early as 1 to 3 weeks from the time of exposure for oral herpes

• Anywhere between 2 days and 2 weeks from the time of exposure for genital herpes

In general, the symptoms of genital herpes are usually more severe than those of oral herpes. When someone is first infected with genital herpes, they may experience flu-like symptoms before they develop sores. These symptoms include: 

• Fever or chills

• Headache

• Muscle aches and pains

• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin (for genital herpes)

• Fatigue

The first outbreak is usually the longest and has the most severe symptoms. These include:

• Painful sores that can look like blisters or pimples

• Unusual penile discharge in genital herpes, which can have an odor

• Burning with urination in genital herpes

When blisters or sores break, they may either bleed or release a whitish fluid. Eventually, they’ll scab over and heal. An initial outbreak typically lasts:

• Up to 7-10 days for oral herpes

• Up to 2-4 weeks for genital herpes

Herpes testing options for men

There are two types of tests you can get to find out if you have herpes:

• A swab test

• A blood test

A swab test is performed if you have open sores. A healthcare professional will use a cotton swab to collect a small sample of cells from the sore. This is usually painless. They can then send the sample for two types of tests:

• A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, which looks for genetic material from the herpes virus.

• A viral culture, which tests whether the herpes virus grows from the sample. 

A blood test can be done if you don’t have any open sores. This test takes a sample of blood and checks for antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes in response to the virus. 

How is herpes treated in men?

There’s no cure for herpes. If you catch the virus, it lives in your body for life. But it may lie dormant (inactive) for months or even years. 

Treatment is the same for herpes, regardless of whether it’s caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2. The primary treatment for herpes is antiviral medication taken during an outbreak. This includes:

• Valacyclovir (Valtrex), taken twice daily 

• Acyclovir (Zovirax), taken five times a day

The duration of treatment depends on the severity of your outbreak. 

There are also a number of things you can do if you’re having pain during outbreaks:

• Try over–the-counter (OTC) pain medications.

• Apply cool compresses to sores several times throughout the day. 

• Leave sores open to air when possible, as long as there’s no risk of contact with other people. This may speed the healing process.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes and undergarments to avoid irritating your skin.

Some people who experience frequent outbreaks take a low dose of antiviral medications every day to help prevent outbreaks and transmission. Researchers are also looking into the potential of a vaccine to either treat symptoms or prevent the condition. 

How to prevent getting and spreading herpes

While herpes is a common condition, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of getting either infection caused by either virus. To lower your risk of oral herpes, avoid: 

• Contact with anyone who has symptoms of oral herpes. And if you have had physical contact, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and running water.

• Kissing or having oral sex with someone who has herpes or open sores on their mouth or in the genital region.

• Sharing drinks, utensils, and razors with others.

To lower your risk of genital herpes, you can: 

• Avoid sexual intercourse when someone has open sores on their body. This includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It’s best to refrain from sex until at least 1 to 2 days have passed since the sores have cleared up. 

• Use condoms if you’re sexually active with someone who has HSV, even if they don’t have any open sores.

Condoms can lower the risk of becoming infected with HSV, but they’re not a guaranteed way to prevent the spread of the virus. One study found that condom use was less effective at preventing transmission of HSV to men than to women. 

Aside from abstaining from sex, there’s no known way to completely avoid getting genital herpes from your partner. If your partner has HSV, consider talking to a healthcare professional about antiviral medication to help prevent transmission of the virus.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alexandria Nyembwe, PhD, MBA, RN

Alexandria Nyembwe has been a registered nurse since 2017. She has a background in cardiac care and has clinic experience as a nurse, serving people experiencing housing instability.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts