A male client with a new diagnosis of genital herpes is likely to experience which systemic symptom?

• A. Anuria
• B. Influenza-like symptoms
• C. White- or flesh-colored papillary growths in the genital area
• D. Green penile discharge

Answer: (B)

Genital herpes often causes systemic symptoms during the first, or primary, episode. When the virus first infects, the body responds with fever, malaise, muscle aches, and headache—these influenza-like symptoms accompany the local genital lesions. The combination reflects how the body reacts to a new, widespread viral infection in the mucocutaneous region, not just the localized outbreak.

In this scenario, the systemic symptom described as influenza-like fits the typical presentation of a new herpes infection, whereas the other options point to different conditions: Anuria would signal a kidney or urinary issue, white- or flesh-colored papillary growths in the genital area suggest condylomata from HPV, and green penile discharge is more typical of gonorrhea or other urethral infections.