There are many diseases and conditions in this world, and some are talked about with gusto while others are talked about in hushed voices with maybe a furtive glance or two over the shoulder to make sure no one has overheard. And one of these socially taboo subjects is that of herpes and genital warts.



Both herpes and genital warts are classed as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) and both are contagious. For the most part you will contract both herpes and genital warts through sexual relations with an infected person. This means through oral sex, anal sex as well as vaginal sex.

In a few cases however, it has been noted that you can also get both herpes and genital warts through contact with the personal items of an infected person, such as clothing, especially clothing which comes into contact with the infected area, and even towels.

This is why it's always a good idea to keep separate any clothing, toweling or bedding an infected person will use. These items should also be laundered separately, until the infection has run its course, and afterwards as well for about a week or two. These are of course just precautionary measures and may not work fully in keeping the infection at bay.

It has also been noted that herpes and genital warts might have a connection. A few people who have had herpes will be more susceptible to getting genital warts as well. This isn't a given but a link has been established.

For the most part though you can tell the difference between herpes and genital warts as the signs and symptoms for both differ widely. For instance herpes symptoms will cause sores or blisters to appear in your genital area, whereas genital warts will cause warts to appear in and around your genital area.

Both herpes and genital warts however, have a few things in common. Depending on the particular strain of the each virus and the overall health of the person among other considerations, signs and symptoms of both herpes and genital warts may not always appear in an infected person.

In this case it can become difficult to diagnose a patient, but other signs and symptoms of herpes and genital warts will be taken into account as well. These other signs and symptoms won't necessarily be overt or even noticed by a person, so they could remain untreated.

In the case of the herpes virus this won't cause any problems as the outbreak of blisters will run its course and dry up. But genital warts, if left untreated can lead to cancerous cells forming where the warts were.

Also, both the herpes and genital warts viruses cannot be cured. The symptoms of the each virus can, but not the virus itself. The best thing that you could do for yourself and your partner would be to get a proper medical examination and receive a correct diagnosis. This way you will be able to receive the necessary treatment.