What is the Difference between Genital Warts and Genital Herpes?

Genital Warts and Genital Herpes are both sexually transmitted diseases.  They are both caused by viruses.  They can both be spread through skin to skin contact.  You do not have to have intercourse to contract the infections.

 

Human Papilloma virus (HPV) causes Genital Warts.  Genital Warts can be small individual warts in the genital area or they can appear as groups of warts. They can look like a cauliflower in appearance. Genital warts can grow fast if they are not treated in time.

 

The first hint of an oncoming wart may be a burning or itching feeling particularly during intercourse.  After transmission from a sexual partner it can take up to six month for warts to grow.  Sometimes you do not get warts but you carry the virus and can transmit it to others.

 

 

With the first outbreak you may feel like you have the flu.  The first outbreak is the worst.  You may have a fever and swollen glands and you will very often experience a burning sensation when you urinate. Painful and blistering sores will also appear on the genital area.  The pain and sores lessen as outbreak reoccur.

 

One of the differences between genital warts and Genital Herpes is that with a herpes outbreak you not only have lesions you feel sick.  Genital warts are usually not painful but can have some burning and itching.

 

There is no cure for Genital Herpes or genital warts.  You should abstain from sexual relations if you have a breakout of genital warts or genital herpes.  Condoms may not cover the infected area and transmission can still occur.  They both are transmitted through skin to skin contact.

 

There is no cure for genital warts or Genital Herpes but there are effective treatments.  Genital warts are treated with topical medications or surgery.  The prescription medications used to treat genital warts are Podofilox, Trichloroacetic acid and Imiquimod.

 

If topical treatments fail surgery may be required.  Eletrocautery, laser or cryosurgery can be performed.  Electrocautery and laser treatments burn the warts off.  Cryosurgery freezes the wart and it falls off.  If these treatments fail the wart can be injected with Interferon.  Reoccurrence can occur after any treatment,

 

 

There are as many similarities as there are differences in Genital Herpes and genital warts.  They are both viral infections that are not curable but are treatable.  They are both transmitted through sexual contact.  They both are contracted by skin to skin contact.  The viruses both remain in your system and lie dormant between outbreaks.