Herpes vs HPV by: Monti Robinson

There are several strains of the Herpes virus. The two most common strains are known as Oral Herpes (HSV-1) and Genital Herpes (HSV-2). You can have Oral Herpes on the lips, which is most often called fever blisters, or cold sores. Oral Herpes is transmitted from person-to-person by kissing, oral sex, or sharing things like a drinking glass, a toothbrush, or eating utensils. Genital Herpes is most commonly transmitted by vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Non-genital herpes (herpes on other parts of the body; is most often called shingles). Shingles is not sexually transmitted. It is a secondary event long after the initial infection with common 'chicken pox'. Shingles is usually a one-off occurrence.

Genital warts can appear at any portion of the body. In the case of sores and blisters that happen in the genital area, they are caused by HPV or the human papillomavirus. HPV is caused by sexual contact. The HPV infection is a common STD or sexually transmitted disease in North America. If the virus is dangerous it can also cause penile or cervical cancer.

According to a survey done by Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 50% of the people who are termed as sexually active have been affected by HPV at some time or the other. After the person is infected, the warts may appear within a month or three months after the infection. Although warts are common in this disease, there are some who might not have warts at all. If you feel that you are infected by warts, you should consult the doctor immediately. Genital warts can look like red growths or bumps, or they can take the color of flesh. The bumps generally appear around the vagina or anus, and at times on the cervix. Sometimes they can be extremely painful if the bumps appear on groin, thigh, penis and scrotum.

Sometimes the warts can look like a cauliflower, and at times that are so tiny, that they can be hardly noticed. There can be multiple blisters or a single blister. At times they can appear in clusters. If the person had oral sex with his or her partner, the genital warts can appear inside the throat or the mouth of a person. The main reason behind the spread of HPV is oral, anal or genital sex with an infected partner. At times it is difficult to know if you are affected or not, because like most of the STDs you will never find any visible symptoms. In most women warts are found either on the cervix or inside the vagina. In case of men, they are found on the tip of the penis.

Although genital warts are common, they are perfectly curable and there are some viruses that may lead to cervical cancer. Women should have annual pap tests in order to know if there are any abnormalities. During pregnancy genital warts can become prominent. If they are near the vaginal opening, they may cause complications during childbirth. There are people who can shun themselves from any contact with the outside world if they are detected with HPV. It is better not to stigmatize yourself with anyone and create opportunities for dialogue and dating. There are millions of people living with HPV and Herpes looking to meet other people living with the virus.