Can someone help me understand the risks of contracting genital warts? I cannot seem to find out much information on them besides that they are highly contagious when they are visible and while having sexual intercourse. How about oral sex? If there is a man that has them, are they contracted my mouth also? Thanks.
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I cannot seem to find out much information on them besides that they are highly contagious when they are visible and while having sexual intercourse. How about oral sex? If there is a man that has them, are they contracted my mouth also?
October 23, 2009 - 3:58pmtestosterone patch
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Boy, are you spreading misinformation here. The herpes simplex virus and genital warts are not related. Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), NOT the herpes simples virus (HSV). These are TWO DIFFERENT VIRUSES. You "clarified" the matter by saying, and I quote, "Herpes is a virus, whereas the genital warts or "sores" are a reaction to the virus; they are caused by the virus" You also think that "the terms "genital warts" and "genital herpes" are often used interchangeably... '' Not so.
You cited the CDC's page on herpes and applied the information indiscriminately to genital warts. No reasonably knowledgeable person would make this mistake. You are certainly no authority on this subject and should refrain from dispensing advice and information.
July 19, 2009 - 11:15pmThis Comment
Thank you for the information. There is often confusion about the two and I appreciate the clarification.
April 19, 2009 - 8:52amThis Comment
Yes, there is a difference. Sorry for the confusion!
Herpes is a virus, whereas the genital warts or "sores" are a reaction to the virus; they are caused by the virus. Typically genital warts are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, compared to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 that causes "fever blisters" or cold sores around the mouth and lips.
The terms "genital warts" and "genital herpes" are often used interchangeably.
The most important difference: a person can have the herpes virus without having genital warts, and can spread the virus and infect another person through unprotected sex.
March 29, 2009 - 9:13pmThis Comment
Thanks for the information about herpes. Is there a different between genital warts and herpes?
March 29, 2009 - 9:59amThis Comment
The best information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) is from the CDC's STD website.
Herpes (genital warts) can be spread from genital-to-genital contact, and also from oral-to-genital contact.
A person can become infected with herpes (from both ways, mentioned above), when a sore is present, but also from skin that does not appear to have a sore.
As the CDC states, "transmission [of herpes, genital-to-genital and oral-to-genital] can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected."
Do you think you are at risk of being infected with herpes? Most people do not have any signs or symptoms, and the virus can still be spread to others without either partner knowing. This is where the term "asymptomatic" comes from...most people with STIs are asymptomatic; the reason there is such an epidemic because they are spread without people knowing they are even infected.
If you know that your boyfriend has herpes, you will need to use a barrier contraceptive (condom, female condom, dental dam) every-time that you have intercourse or oral sex to protect yourself from becoming infected with herpes. (A dental dam is basically a condom, that is cut in half to lay flat over the woman's genital area). Condoms are not 100% effective against herpes, as they only cover the penis and not entire genital area.
Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.
March 29, 2009 - 6:24amThis Comment