Overview of herpes and HPV
HPV and herpes are two separate viruses with many similarities. Both of them may cause lesions in the genital regions; however, they may also be present without causing any symptoms. Though similar, HPV is more common than herpes.
Symptoms and signs of HPV
HPV is one of the most common STIs in the USA. There are multiple strains or types of HPV and each may cause different signs and symptoms. The majority of these strains produce no serious health problems, but some of them may cause cancer. Some strains of HPV cause genital warts. These may develop on the scrotum, penis, anus, vagina, vulva, or cervix. They look pale, fleshy, and soft. The same strains may also produce warts in the throat and mouth, which is referred to as oral HPV.