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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Q from a Female, Senior Texas A&M: What
are the symptoms of genital warts?
Dr. Caron's Answer: Genital warts are
determined by visible inspection. HPV (human
papilloma virus) causes genital warts, which is a
very common virus, infecting about 1 out of every 4
sexually active people. The warts typically appear
on the genitals as soft, pink, painless single or
multiple growths resembling a small cauliflower. In
men, they may appear on the penis, foreskin, and
scrotum, and within the urethra. In women, they may
be found on the vulva, in the vagina, and on the
cervix. The warts begin to appear 1-3 months after
contact and are diagnosed visibly at a health
clinic specializing in sexually transmitted
infections. They may be removed by freezing,
burning, dehydration with an electrical needle, or
surgery. Although such treatments may remove the
warts, please be aware that they do not rid the
body of the virus - so there may be
recurrences.
Q from a Female, Senior student at the
University of Maine: Can you get genital herpes
from someone with a cold sore giving you oral
sex?
A: Yes. Genital herpes infection is
caused by exposure to the herpes simplex virus type
1 (HSV 1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV 2)
through sexual contact. HSV 1 initially was
associated with oral infection (cold sores and
fever blisters around the mouth) and HSV 2 with
genital infection (blisters on the penis or vulva).
Over the past 30 years, however, the increased
popularity of oral sex has led to an almost equal
probability of transferring either form from mouth
to genitals and vice versa. The two viruses are not
different clinically, as both cause the same
painful symptoms. A person with blisters on the
mouth cannot only transfer the virus to another
person’s genitals, and vice versa, but a
person with herpes can transfer it to other parts
of his or her own body by touch, including the
eyes, as well (this is called autoinoculation). A
2-12 day incubation period follows transmission of
the virus. There is no cure, but there is treatment
to speed the healing of the painful blisters. An
estimated 20-30 million people are presently
infected with genital herpes in the U.S. You should
know that the virus can be easily spread by even a
quick, casual kiss and thus it should not be
assumed that a person with oral herpes got it from
performing oral sex. By the way, not all mouth
ulcers are caused by the herpes virus; they can
also be caused by bacteria, allergic reactions, or
autoimmune (canker sores) responses. However,
“fever blisters” and most cold sores are
herpes.
© 2008, Sandra L.
Caron
* * *
It is not sex that gives the pleasure, but the
lover. - Marge Piercy
American teens have the worst of all
worlds...Our children are bombarded and confronted
with sexual messages, sexual exploitation, and all
manner of sexual criticism. But our society is by
and large sexually illiterate. Faye Westheimer
Dr. Sandra L.
Caron is a professor of human sexuality at the
University of Maine. To submit a question to Dr.
Caron or chat with your peers visit
www.CollegeSexTalk.com
Got a question for Dr. Caron? Visit
www.collegesextalk.com/questions.htm
and ask away! Get a guaranteed personal and
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