How Are Hpv And Herpes Different
HPV and herpes are caused by completely different viruses and the uncomfortable bumps associated with each will look discernibly different from one another. And while herpes typically causes sporadic outbreaks that subside in a few days time, most people who have HPV will never show any symptoms . And if warts do appear, they are typically harmless and can be removed by a doctor with relative ease. Herpes chancres, in turn, cannot. You just have to wait them out.
Unlike HPV, herpes is not linked to nor causes cervical cancer.
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Can Genital Herpes Cause Other Problems
For most women, genital herpes does not usually cause serious health problems.
Women with HIV can have severe herpes outbreaks that are long-lasting. Herpes also may play a role in the spread of HIV. Herpes sores can make it easier for HIV to get into your body. Also, herpes can make people who are HIV-positive more likely to spread the infection to someone else.
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Hpv Vs Herpes: Are They The Same Thing
When it comes to your sexual health, its important to ask the right questions, more specifically, is HPV herpes? Like, what is the difference between HPV vs herpes?. As is the case with any subject, the more you ask, the more you know. No question is too nuanced or too specific. And speaking to the oft-stigmatized topic of sexually transmitted diseases specifically, no question is off the table . Here at Accurate STD and HIV Testing, were asked a lot of questions about STDs and STD testing in general.
Short answer? No. HPV and herpes are not the same thing. Both HPV and herpes are transmitted sexually, often display similar symptoms, and are extremely common. Given all of this, falsely assuming theyre one in the same is certainly not an outlandish conclusion. But to understand the differences between HPV vs herpes, we have to go a little deeper.
How Do You Get Hpv And Herpes
Nurx offers at home screening kits for HPV for as little as $49 with insurance or $75 per month without insurance.
Unlike HPV, herpes can also be passed on through saliva when you are kissing or sharing drinks with people who have it. You dont have to worry about these activities spreading HPV.
HPV and herpes can also be passed on from a pregnant mom to her baby during pregnancy or delivery. If you suspect you have one or both of these infections, tell your medical team so they can help you reduce the risks.
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Are Herpes And Hpv The Same Stds
People often ask Is Herpes and HPV connected?. Though Herpes and HPV are caused by viruses and they have similar expanded form, it is important to understand that they are completely different types and caused by different viral agents.
Both HPV and Herpes share similar qualities in terms of symptoms yet they have certain differences. Herpes causes more irritation/discomfort and more like sores , but HPV is painless and appears as warts around the genitals and the mouth and has a more serious impact on long-term health like cancers.
In fact, HPV is much more common than herpes. According to research from CDC, nearly every sexually active person having more than one sex partner will contract the HPV virus at least once in their lifetime. If you are hyper sexually active, its possible to contract one or both of these viruses at the same time.
Get Tested For Herpes And Hpv
There are different types of tests to get diagnosed for Herpes and HPV STDs. Firstly, you need to take an initial screening test for the Herpes and/or HPV that you suspect of having exposed to .
Youll also be asked to retest after the completion of your treatment course to know that you are completely cured. It is also recommended that not involve in any sexual activities until you are retested again and tested Herpes-free or HPV-free.
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Risk Of Transmission Of Hpv To Neonate
Neonate is exposed to the virus primarily during its passage through the birth canal.
Transmission can even occur in the absence of clinically evident lesions. Although the classic mode of transmission of HPV to the newborn is during the passage of the fetus through the birth canal and on coming into contact with infected maternal secretions however, in certain instances newborn may be infected even after being delivered by CS and it can be due to ascending infection from the vaginal canal, after a premature rupture of the amniotic membranes There can even be a intrauterine transmission at the time of fertilization from sperm carrying latent HPV and transplacental.
Protocols During Labor To Prevent Hsv Transmission
Rupture of membranes for more than four to six hours before delivery increases the risk of transmission of HSV to the infant. The use of fetal scalp electrode monitoring during labor, use of vacuum and forceps also provide a potential port of entry for the virus into the infant. Any patient who has a suspected active genital HSV infection, or has first-episode herpes simplex virus infection and active genital lesions, as well as a pregnant woman with recurrent HSV and active genital lesions, or prodromal symptoms of HSV infection should undergo cesarean section . Cesarean delivery is not recommended for women with a history of HSV infection but no active genital disease during labor.
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So How About Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by certain strains of HPV. How they look can vary, but they usually appear as bumps in the genital area.
Its important to know that genital warts spread through genital contact, so they can appear in other parts of the body such as the mouth.
Most genital warts will clear up by themselves.
However the treatment for warts can include freezing, applying creams, laser treatment and even surgery in rare cases.
Hpv Vs Hsv: Diagnosis & Testing
- HPV strains that cause genital warts require no dedicated tests as doctors can arrive at a diagnosis based on the appearance of symptoms.
- In the case of women, PAP smears are carried out at regular intervals to check for cancer-causing HPV strains. Donât forget to ask your doctor about PAP smears and how often you should get them.
- In the case of males, however, there are no tests to screen or conclusively determine HPV. This can be done only upon the appearance of oral or genital warts.
- Herpes too can be diagnosed based on the appearance of blisters and cold sores. However, there also exist viral culture techniques that enable doctors to identify HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains.
- Herpes is not included in the routine STI scans available in most hospitals. If you think youâve contracted the infection, be sure to ask for a herpes test when you visit the hospital.
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Herpes Simplex Virus I & Ii
The Herpes virus comes in two forms: Herpes Simplex Virus I and Herpes Simplex Virus II . HSV 1 is commonly associated with causing sores or blisters around the mouth, often known as cold sores. HSV 2 is often linked with genital sores or blisters. Despite this, the two strains are not limited to these areas. It is possible to contract HSV 2 around the mouth and HSV 1 around the genital area.
Herpes I could have been contracted in childhood from kisses off a relative, remaining dormant until triggered by illness, stress or a weakened immune system.
Other symptoms of a Herpes infection include:
- Pain when urinating
- Tingling or pain around the site of infection
- Flu-like symptoms .
Once you have acquired Herpes, the virus remains in your system for life. You can still engage in sexual activities, and protection should always be used. If you are experiencing an outbreak, you are advised to abstain from sexual contact to prevent transmission to your partner. There are creams available to help with Herpes outbreaks medications may be prescribed by a doctor if your outbreaks are particularly severe and frequent.
Can Women Who Have Sex With Women Get Genital Herpes
Yes. It is possible to get genital herpes, or any other STI, if you are a woman who has sex only with women.
Talk to your partner about her sexual history before having sex, and ask your doctor or nurse about getting tested if you have signs or symptoms of genital herpes. Use a dental dam during oral sex and avoid sexual activity during an outbreak.
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What Do You Do If You Think You Have Genital Warts Or Genital Herpes
If you think you have genital herpes its important to get tested. The easiest way to do this is to head to a sexual health clinic when you have an outbreak of blisters and sores. A nurse will be able to look at them to make sure thats what they are theyll also take a sample that can be tested for the presence of a herpes virus.
As weve already mentioned, genital herpes cant be cured. What you can do is take prescription medications including valacyclovir and Valtrex to help clear-up outbreaks and prevent them from happening in the first place.
Theres no standard test for men for HPV but you should go to a sexual health clinic or your doctor if you have warts to get them diagnosed. Your warts can be treated with prescription medication or surgically removed with a scalpel, laser, chemical treatment or even by freezing, burning or vaporizing.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hpv And Herpes
HPV causes wart-like lesions, called genital warts, which can occur in isolation or in clusters. They may be small or large, raised or flat, or with a distinctive cauliflower appearance. They dont cause any discomfort.
Herpes lesions are more like pimples or blisters filled with fluid. Over time these lesions break open, often forming ulcers, then scab over. They are typically itchy or painful, so people having a herpes outbreak tend to feel more uncomfortable than people with HPV.
The genital lesions are the only real immediate symptom of an HPV outbreak. However, people with herpes often feel much sicker. Other symptoms of herpes include:
- Feeling run-down, as if you have the flu.
- Pain in the legs and lower back, with genital herpes.
- Unpleasant vaginal discharge, for women with genital herpes.
- Pain during urination, with genital herpes.
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Management: The Current Acog Guidelines
Current ACOG guidelines do not recommend routine antepartum genital HSV cultures in asymptomatic patients with recurrent disease, nor they recommend routine screening of pregnant women for HSV. Suppressive antiviral therapy with acyclovir should be given to pregnant women who have a primary episode or active recurrent genital HSV at or beyond 36 weeks of gestation. It should also be given to women with an active genital herpes infection, primary or secondary, near term or at the time of delivery. A recent statement by ACOG supports the use of antiviral therapy in pregnant women with outbreaks of genital herpes. Acyclovir therapy started at 36 weeks of gestation may decrease viral shedding, prevent neonatal herpes, reduce the need for cesarean delivery and decrease clinical recurrences of herpes simplex virus infection. Valacyclovir is a promising substitute of acyclovir with similar efficacy, as well as the increased bioavailability of valacyclovir and famciclovir results in their less frequent dosing to achieve the same therapeutic benefits as acyclovir. All these three drugs, acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir have been labeled as category B drugs. Valacyclovir is prodrug of acyclovir, which is rapidly converted to acyclovir, hence safety profile quite similar to the second one.
Treating The Symptoms Of Herpes
Theres currently no cure for herpes, but there are treatments that can reduce the symptoms and make it less likely to transmit the virus to a sex partner.
Antiviral medications are prescribed to help clear up symptoms or reduce the frequency of outbreaks. Some antivirals that may be prescribed include:
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How Is Chickenpox Spread
Chickenpox is spread through direct contact with an infected individual as well as airborne droplets. Varicella-zoster is the virus that causes chickenpox. It takes about 14 to 16 days before someone starts showing symptoms of chickenpox after coming into contact with varicella-zoster.
Unvaccinated individuals living in crowded areas are especially at risk for spreading and contracting chickenpox. Individuals with a weakened immune system and those who live in poorly sanitized areas without access to clean and nutritious food are also at risk of contracting chickenpox as well as other communicable diseases.
How Are Hpv And Herpes Similar
Perhaps the most distinguishable similarity between HPV and herpes is their characteristics, or in certain cases, their lack thereof. Both can be responsible for unusual lesions on the genital region. Herpes symptoms are typically characterized by oozing and highly contagious sores or blisters on or near the mouth and/or genitals while HPV may cause whats commonly known as genital warts . Its perfectly understandable and not at all uncommon to confuse warts for chancres and vice versa. the two. And yes, its possible for both HPV and herpes to display no signs whatsoever.
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Can I Get The Hpv Vaccine
In the United States, the HPV vaccination recommendation is for:
- All preteens at age 11 or 12 years
- Everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.
Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination.
HPV vaccination for ages 27 through 45 provides less benefit. Most sexually active adults have already been exposed to HPV, although vaccination does not target all HPV types.
At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection. People who are already in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection.
Learn more about who should get an HPV vaccine.
Can Hpv Cause Cancer
Yes. HPV itself isnt cancer but it can cause changes in the body that lead to cancer. HPV infections usually go away by themselves. When they dont, they can cause certain kinds of cancer to grow. These include:
- Cervical cancer in women
- Penile cancer in men
- Oropharyngeal cancer, cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils
All of these cancers come from HPV infections that did not go away. Cancer grows very slowly. The diagnosis may not be until years, or even decades, after a person gets HPV. Currently, there is no way to know who will get cancer after getting HPV.
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Clinical Features In Pregnant Mother And Child
HIV transmission to the fetus can occur as early as the 15th week of pregnancy. Prenatal infection may cause a HIV-specific embryopathy in the majority of infected children. It is characterized by a small forehead, short flat nose, pronounced philtrum, microcephaly, thick lips and hypertelorism. There is evidence suggesting that pregnancy also favors the progression of the HIV disease in the mother. The most important determinant is the virus load present in the mother.
What Should I Do If I Have Genital Herpes
If you have genital herpes:
- See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible for testing and treatment.
- Take all of the medicine. Even if symptoms go away, you need to finish all of the antiviral medicine.
- Tell your sex partner so they can be tested and treated if necessary.
- Avoid any sexual contact while you are being treated for genital herpes or while you have an outbreak.
- Remember that genital herpes is a lifelong disease. Even though you may not have a genital herpes outbreak for long periods of time, you can still pass the virus to another person at any time. Talk with your doctor or nurse about how to prevent passing the virus to another person.
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How Do You Prevent Hpv And Herpes
Using condoms and dental dams during sex is a great way to prevent the spread of both herpes and HPV. These contraceptives only prevent the spread of covered areas though, so be careful if you spot any lesions that cannot be covered.
You should also avoid touching your own HPV and herpes lesions or other peoples. If you accidentally come in contact with a lesion, washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water can reduce your risk of spreading the infection.
Getting the HPV vaccine is an excellent way to protect yourself against this sexually transmitted infection. Its most effective before you start having sex, ideally around the age of 11 or 12. If you are older and have not been exposed to HPV, HPV vaccination may still benefit you. There is no vaccine for herpes at this time.