Genital Warts and Herpes
When you are sexually active, there is always a risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease from your sexual partner and the only way of being 100% safe from such STDs is to abstain from sex altogether. However, if you are informed and cautious at all times, you can limit this risk. Genital warts and herpes are two such conditions that are transmitted from one sexual partner to another and it is certainly possible to have both conditions at the same time.
Both genital warts and genital herpes can be transmitted from one sexual partner to another even when there are no obvious symptoms present. Both viruses are active in the skin (the epidermis). Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus while genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (there are two varieties type 1 and type 2 but most genital herpes are caused by the second type).
Diagnosis of genital warts and genital herpes
When diagnosing genital warts, your healthcare provider will use a visual examination to see if any warts are present. He may often use a colposcope to magnify the area. A solution of vinegar can also be applied to the area and this will turn any warts present white. In the case of women, a Pap smear test will often indicate the presence of HPV. Unfortunately, there is no accurate HPV test for men because it is difficult to collect an adequate sample of cells from the penis. Therefore many men will carry the HPV for years with no visible signs and symptoms and may be completely unaware that they are carriers.
When diagnosing genital herpes, your healthcare provider will again use a visual examination to see if any lesions are present. If there is a doubt as to the cause of such a sore (as well as abnormal cell changes on the cervix in the case of a woman) a tissue sample or culture can be extracted.
Transmission of genital warts and genital herpes
HPV genital warts are transmitted through the direct sexual or skin to skin contact with a wart or infected area. However you may not be aware that either you or your sexual partner has genital warts because:
Genital warts can be very small and flat so that they are difficult to distinguish from a normal genital bump or blemish.
Genital warts can be in hard-to-see places such as on the cervix or the urethra.
Even if a genital wart has been removed, the infected area can still have the virus present.
Genital warts are often painless.
HSV genital herpes is most likely to be transmitted when sores are present. Again this transmission is through the direct sexual or skin to skin contact with a sore in the affected genital area. Once you have the condition, there are often recurring outbreaks. During such an outbreak, there may be a rash together with painful and itchy blisters on the affected area or tender lumps on the groin. The initial outbreak is usually the worst and may well be accompanied by swollen glands, a fever or headache and a general run down feeling. There may be a burning sensation when urinating.
Sometimes before an out break occurs, there may be a warning sign such as a tingling, burning or itching feeling in the area where the sores will later appear. Genital herpes will always have the same symptoms for each outbreak but the actual pain and number of sores usually lessens with each outbreak. Most people with genital herpes can expect an average of 4 outbreaks per annum.
Although there is no cure for either HPV genital warts or HSN genital herpes, there are plenty of treatments available for both genital warts and genital herpes.
What about vaccines for genital warts and herpes?
The good news is that there is already a vaccine available to protect young people from HPV (which causes genital warts) and which can be administered to both boys and girls from the age of 9 years.
Although no vaccine is yet available to protect people from HSV, there are many ongoing clinical trials in place designed to target the virus that causes genital herpes. However, it will be another 5 years before such a vaccine will be available. Unfortunately, at the moment the vaccine trials are only proving to be successful on women and not on men.
Limiting the risk of transmission of genital warts and herpes
Although the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease such as genital warts and herpes is always there, you can limit this risk by:
Only having one sexual partner.
Ensuring that your one sexual partner does not have other sexual partners.
Avoiding sex if genital warts are present or during a genital herpes outbreak.
Always practicing safe sex through the use of a condom.
Avoiding tobacco and nicotine use.
Boosting your immune system.
Having a healthy lifestyle which includes a good, balanced diet; taking vitamins and herbs; drinking plenty of water; getting sufficient rest and sleep; and taking plenty of regular exercise (walking and swimming are two of the best forms of exercise).
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