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For individuals with HSV (herpes) and HPV (genital warts) Ask questions, share experiences, & get the support you need. Membership is always free! |
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HSV-1, HSV-2, and HPVHerpes Simplex Virus (HSV) causes genital herpes and cold sores around the mouth. Oral herpes can cause genital herpes or can be caused by genital herpes because the virus may be transmitted from the mouth to the genital area or vice versa during oral sex. Basically, outbreaks occur where the virus entered the body. HSV-1 typically causes cold sores and HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts in some individuals (low-risk strains) or cancer in some individuals (high-risk strains). High-risk strains of this virus may cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and throat cancer. There are 100 strains of HPV, but the HPV vaccine only protects against 4 types of HPV; 2 types that cause 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. The vaccine does not protect against the other 96 strains of HPV.
How do people get infected?Both of these viruses are considered to be sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), however since they are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact they can be contracted through other forms of intimate contact. Male-to-female transmission is more likely than female-to-male transmission, which is why more women are infected by the viruses than men. Condoms lower the risk of infection, but they may not fully protect against these viruses. This is because the infected area may extend beyond the areas protected by a condom.
It's important for you to know that these viruses can be contracted: - during protected sex with a condom - during unprotected sex - during vaginal, anal, or oral sex - even if no symptoms are present - even if the infected person is taking medicine that suppresses outbreaks
Pools, hot tubs, and toilet seats are sometimes blamed as the cause of a person's infection even though research shows the virus cannot live outside of the body for more than a few seconds.
How soon do symptoms occur?Many people who have the Herpes or HPV virus do not know they have it because they are symptom-free and have not been tested for it. Some people who have the virus think they no longer have it after the outbreaks stop occurring. These individuals may unknowingly infect others with the virus and deny doing so because they don't have symptoms.
Most individuals do not have or have only minor symptoms. Some people do not experience symptoms until many months after initially being infected with the virus, but it is still possible for them to infect someone during that time. It is more common, however, for individuals to experience symptoms within 2 weeks of contracting the virus.
Every person is affected differently by these viruses. Some have frequent outbreaks on a regular basis, but some may only have an outbreak once every few months or years. Others will be infected by the virus, but never experience an outbreak. Typically outbreaks decrease in frequency and/or stop occurring at some point in time.
Genital Herpes (HSV) SymptomsDuring a person's first outbreak of genital herpes, symptoms can be quite pronounced and the person may experience flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. There are typically one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum, however they may also develop on other areas of the body, including the butt and back. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur.
Subsequent outbreaks are almost always less severe and shorter than the first outbreak, and may look like small red bumps instead of sores. Minor outbreaks are sometimes mistaken for razor burn, ingrown hairs, or insect bites. The person can expect to have several (typically four or five) outbreaks (symptomatic recurrences) within a year. Over time these recurrences usually decrease in frequency.
Genital Warts (HPV) SymptomsGenital warts usually appear as small bumps or groups of bumps. They can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped. They can appear on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. Warts may appear within weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person, or they may not appear at all. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, remain unchanged, or increase in size or number. (They will not turn into cancer.)
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