In this age of information male herpes pictures are easy to come by.  Several websites exist and carry these graphic images of penile herpes, as well as pictures of vaginal herpes,  to help people identify their symptoms and for educational purposes.

Male herpes pictures do serve as invaluable aids in educating people about this widespread and incurable disease, but no picture can convey the pain felt or the hardship endured by a person because of the change of lifestyle which the disease brings.

Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).  And being known to have STD often gives other people the impression that the infected person indulged in a promiscuous lifestyle.  While having multiple sexual partners can increase the risk of acquiring herpes, being promiscuous is not a factor which can determine one’s vulnerability to the disease.  It is completely possible to get infected even if one sticks to one sexual partner at a time.  This is because a majority of persons who have herpes do not exhibit its symptoms.  Despite the absence of symptoms, they remain perfectly capable of transmitting the disease to other people through the exchange of bodily fluids.

While herpes currently has no cure, there are treatments available to help a person with herpes reduce the intensity and frequency of herpes sore outbreaks.  Antiviral medication is typically prescribed by physicians to help suppress the virus and prevent recurrences.  Topical preparations may also be prescribed to hasten the healing of herpes sores and to prevent them from becoming further infected.  Other over the counter medications may also be recommended to address the other symptoms of inflammation, fever, muscle aches and headaches.

An ounce of prevention still remains to be worth a pound of cure in the case of herpes and other diseases like male ganital warts.  Herpes is at its most contagious during an active outbreak.  Thus all sexual and direct skin to skin contact with the open sores should be avoided at all costs during the duration of a sores outbreak which can last anywhere from two to twenty-two days.  During the times when the symptoms do not manifest themselves, it would still be wise to use dental dams and latex condoms to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.