Genital herpes and genital warts are both frequently occurring sexually transmitted diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted in 2010 that 16.2 percent of individuals aged 14 to 49 were infected with genital herpes, while MayoClinic.com calls genital warts one of the most commonly occurring sexually transmitted diseases. Genital herpes and genital warts can sometimes be mistaken for one another, but there are some important differences between the two diseases.
Cause
Both genital herpes and genital warts are caused by viruses and spread through skin-to-skin contact. However, the virus that causes herpes is herpes simplex virus type 2, while human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the cause of genital warts. Genital herpes occasionally results from infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 during oro-genital contact. HSV-1 usually causes infections of the mouth.
Lesions
Lesions of genital herpes and genital warts can sometimes appear to be similar, but they are actually different. Genital herpes lesions are vesicular ulcers or open sores. Herpes blisters are filled with fluid that contains the virus. The blisters burst over the course of an outbreak and release the liquid inside. MayoClinic.com describes genital warts as flesh-colored or cauliflower-shaped bumps. Genital warts can be small and unnoticeable, or they can form in large clusters. Both of these types of lesions can cause pain and discomfort for those infected.
Treatment
The herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus both remain in the body indefinitely. However, there are treatments available for each disease. According to MayoClinic.com, 30 percent of genital warts disappear without treatment. Severe cases are treated topically or surgically. Imiquimod cream enhances the body's ability to combat the warts, while podophyllin actually destroys the wart. Trichloroacetic acid is a chemical used to burn the warts from the skin. Surgical treatment is reserved for larger warts. Genital herpes is treated with the antiviral medications acyclovir, famcyclovir or valacyclovir. These medications cannot kill the herpes virus, but they decrease the length of outbreaks and lessen symptoms. Practitioners sometimes prescribe herpes medications for suppressive therapy. Patients will take the medicine daily to prevent outbreaks from recurring and limit the spread of the disease.
