My little brother has blisters

Blisters on the penis are a problem that many men have encountered. This symptom is generally caused by genital herpes. If not treated in time, it will not only affect the health of the patient's private parts, but also affect the patient's sexual function and sex life. There are many treatments for genital herpes, including general treatments and antiviral treatments. Genital herpes can be prevented in certain ways. Here we will introduce the causes, treatments and prevention of genital herpes.

1. Causes

HSV-2 is the main pathogen of genital herpes (90%), which causes primary genital herpes after infection. After the initial genital herpes subsides, the remaining virus is transferred along the neural axis through the peripheral nerves to the sacral ganglia and remains latent for a long time. When the body's resistance is reduced or certain stimulating factors such as fever, cold, infection, menstruation, gastrointestinal dysfunction, trauma, etc. occur, the latent virus can be activated and the virus descends to the surface of the skin and mucous membranes to cause lesions and lead to recurrence. Humans are the only host of the herpes virus. The virus cannot survive outside the human body. Ultraviolet rays, ether and general disinfectants can inactivate it.

II. Treatment

1. General treatment

(1) Mainly keep the area clean and dry. It can be washed with isotonic saline every day. Those who suffer from pain can take oral painkillers and provide mental comfort.

(2) For patients with concurrent bacterial infection, antibiotic ointment can be applied externally.

(3) For those with obvious local pain, 5% lidocaine hydrochloride ointment can be applied externally or oral analgesics can be taken.

(4) Psychological support: explaining the nature of the disease, the causes of relapse, and how to treat and deal with it, so as to enhance confidence in fighting the disease.

2. Antiviral drug treatment

Recommended treatment options include: acyclovir, oral, 5 times a day; or acyclovir, oral, 3 times a day; or valacyclovir, oral, 2 times a day; or famciclovir, oral, 3 times a day. If it is a new onset of genital herpes, the course of treatment is 7 to 10 days; for recurrent genital herpes, the course of treatment is 5 days. Those with frequent relapses may need to take a lower dose for a longer period of time.

3. Prevention

1. Consultation

(1) Explain the natural history of the disease, emphasizing its recurrence and the possibility of asymptomatic shedding of the virus, during which HSV sexual transmission can occur;

(2) Inform patients of the common triggers of relapse and encourage them to avoid negative emotions such as psychological tension, depression or anxiety. Avoiding the triggers of relapse can reduce relapse.

(3) Inform patients of childbearing age (including male patients) about the risk of HSV infection in the fetus and neonate;

(4) Tell newly diagnosed patients that antiviral treatment can shorten the course of the disease and antiviral suppressive therapy can reduce or prevent relapse;

(5) Obtain the patient’s active cooperation in treatment to reduce the further spread of the disease.

2. Health education

(1) Emphasize that patients should inform their sexual partners of their condition, obtain their understanding and cooperation, avoid sexual contact when prodromal symptoms or skin lesions appear, or better use barrier contraceptive measures to reduce the risk of HSV transmission to sexual partners;

(2) Barrier contraceptive measures such as condoms are recommended. Condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes transmission, but sexual intercourse when lesions appear may still cause HSV sexual transmission even with condoms.

(3) Changing sexual behavior, avoiding extramarital sex, and eliminating multiple sexual partners are fundamental measures to prevent genital herpes.