How to Treat Genital Warts

What Are Genital Warts?

Genital warts are caused by the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) when this microscopic virus particle infects the skin. If genital warts appear, they usually occur as small growths on the genital areas.

They can be small individual warts or they can accumulate into large groups of warts on the genital tissues.

If not treated immediately, a genital wart may grow quickly and take on a fleshy and cauliflower-like appearance.

If the genital warts are inside the vagina or the anus or if they are too small to see, the first indication of their presence may well be a painful or itchy feeling in that area particularly during sexual intercourse.

However, it can take anything up to six months for these warts to appear after the initial transmission of genital warts from another sexual partner. And often, they never occur so that you may not even be aware that you are carrying the virus and that you can transmit the virus to others.

What Is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and once you have the condition, there are often recurring outbreaks.

During such outbreaks, there may be a rash together with painful and itchy blisters on the affected area or tender lumps on the groin.

The initial outbreak is usually the worst and may well be accompanied by swollen glands, a fever or headache and a general run down feeling.

There may be a burning sensation when urinating.

Usually, it takes up to 3 weeks for the first symptoms to appear but the virus can lie dormant in your system for many years.

Sometimes before an outbreak occurs, you may have some warning signs such as a tingling, burning or itching feeling in the area where the sores will later appear.

Herpes will always have the same symptoms for each outbreak but the actual pain and number of sores should lessen each time an outbreak occurs.

What Is The Difference Between Genital Warts and Herpes?

*  With genital herpes you can feel very ill when you first have a herpes outbreak and will continue to feel ill for any subsequent outbreaks, which will more than likely continue to occur.

*  If you are pregnant with genital herpes, your pregnancy has to be monitored very carefully as if a newborn baby contracts the herpes infection, this in turn can cause meningitis.

Treatment and Genital Warts and Herpes

In the case of genital warts, there are plenty of different options available to treat the warts and your medical practitioner will advise you.

In the case of genital herpes, most people can expect an outbreak about four times per year. Infected people can keep on re-infecting themselves too.

There is no cure for genital herpes but you can manage the outbreaks and relieve genital warts symptoms with appropriate treatment. There are ongoing research into natural forms of treatment.

If you are suffering from either genital warts or herpes, it is very important to start treatment as soon as possible and in both cases, the only way to prevent contracting both viruses is to abstain from sexual contact completely or to be in a long term relationship with a partner who has been tested and who is known to be uninfected.

Although the correct use of condoms on all occasions can reduce the risk of both conditions, it must be a latex one and it must be pointed out that a condom may not always cover all infected areas.

sIn both cases, refrain from sexual relations until all genital warts or herpes sores have been treated.

Go to our Genital Warts Treatment page