The two viruses:
Genital warts and genital herpes are both an incurable
virus. They are both very much alike but there are
some differences and this can mean the difference
between "just there and bothersome" and
"there with a lot of pain without a cure".
Both viruses are caused by different strains and both
cause bumps to appear on the genitalia. Whereas genital
warts show no symptoms, genital herpes will be very
painful for the first month or two. Both gential warts
and genital herpes are relatively common around the
world in both sexes and all sexual orientations.
Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus.
There are about a hundred different strains of the
virus and none of them are pleasant. Genital warts
are also a sexually transmitted disease but millions
carry the HPV virus in their body and never get warts
or genital warts. Warts on the genital area are usually
small bumps, sometimes so tiny that only a doctor
can say whether or not a person has them. Genital
warts cause no pain but are highly contagious and
in fact more so than genital herpes. Wearing a condom
during sex may not always protect a person from contracting
genital warts as the condom only covers the penis.
The scrotum or anus can touch any part of the other
person's body and so be infected. Genital warts can
vary in color and may be pink or white with a cauliflower
like appearance. Genital warts appear in bunches and
will not go away unless they are addressed with a
proper genital
warts treatment
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is the more serious of the two sexually
transmitted diseases and the one most people hear
about. Genital
herpes cannot be contracted unless through intercourse,
that is oral, anal and vaginal sex. If a condom is
used, a person should be safe from contracting herpes.
Unfortunately, some people may not be aware that they
have herpes and this can lead to the spread of the
disease. There are different strains of herpes and
genital herpes is just one of the strains in the herpes
simplex virus group. The genital herpes virus is a
tricky one but some of the signs are fever, body aches
and headaches. Then eventually very small painful
blisters appear all over the genitalia - inside the
vaginal canal in women and around the scrotum in men.
When a person first contracts the disease, the herpes
will be at its most painful and appear more quickly.
In those who have had genital herpes for a long time,
the breakouts will be less painful and less frequent
- perhaps once a year.
