Sexually transmitted diseases are very common among people aged fifteen to forty nine. Two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases are genital warts and herpes. Both genital warts and herpes are often mistaken to be the same condition although they are very different.
Similarities Between Genital Warts and Herpes
In terms of similarities, both genital warts and herpes are transmitted from one person to another due to skin to skin contact or during sexual contact. The symptoms or signs of both the conditions can also be very similar. Both cause pain, irritation, discomfort and can take a toll on one’s daily life.
The primary difference between genital warts and herpes is in their respective causes. Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus or HPV. Herpes or genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus or HSV. Usually, it is the type 6 or type 11 HPV that causes genital warts while herpes is caused by HSV type 2. HSV type 1 can also cause herpes but this affects the mouth and not the genital area. In other words, the herpes simplex virus type 2 is a virus that spreads through the mouth and one can get infected while performing oral sex.
The two are viral infections and their occurrence can be sudden. But the development of the two diseases would vary. The difference between genital warts and herpes is that the former develops rather slowly while the latter can grow very quickly. The outbreak of herpes may become obvious in a very short span of time. Genital warts can take days to show prominently. Both diseases are characterized by lesions but the lesions in case of genital warts are much more subtle.
Herpes is marked by flesh colored, cauliflower shaped lesions which contain a fluid inside. This fluid contains the HSV type 2. With genital warts, there can be small lesions which may or may not be protruded from the skin. A massive outbreak of genital warts would cause clusters of large warts.
Differences Between Genital Warts and Herpes
There is a difference between genital warts and herpes in regards to their respective treatments as well. The former is mainly treated with ointments which are administered topically. A more advanced treatment is available in the form of surgeries but those are opted for only when the warts are large and there are many clusters. Herpes is usually treated with medicine.
Both the conditions may subside on their own without medical intervention.
