Difference Between HPV and Herpes

HPV vs Herpes
 

Human papillomavirus and herpes are both sexually transmitted diseases. They are both viral and can cause simple infections as well as malignancies. Both can be asymptomatic. Lesions caused by both viruses sometimes look alike. Both diseases can be prevented by barrier contraceptive methods. However, despite these similarities, there are also differences between HPV and Herpes that will be talked about in this article, in detail, highlighting both HPV’s and Herpes’s clinical features, symptoms, causes, prognosis, and also the course of treatment/management they require.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus which infects skin cells and mucus membranes. It can only multiply in dead skin cells; it cannot bind to living cells. Most of the time HPV does not cause any symptoms, but some can cause warts. (Common warts, ano-genital warts, flat warts and plantar warts) Others can cause cancer in the cervix, vulva, penile, vaginal, pharynx, anal, and esophagus. Some types of HPV cause respiratory papillomatosis which features warts in larynx and other regions of the respiratory tree. This can lead to obstruction of airways and bronchiectasis.

HPV can go from mother to baby during vaginal birth. Some HPV types transmitted through sexual contact can cause genital warts. Chronic infection of high risk types of HPV may lead to skin cancers. Recent studies have shown that HPV increases the risk of ischemic heart diseases. 30 to 40 types of HPV transmit through intimate sexual contact. These types of HPV tend to infect the anal and genital regions.

HPV infection responds to antiviral drugs. Transmission can be prevented by barrier contraceptive methods and vaccination.

Herpes

Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 are responsible for a wide spectrum of disorders. Herpes falls into two main categories according to the site of infection: oro-facial and genital herpes. HSV 1 affects mouth, face, eyes, throat and brain. HSV 2 causes ano-genital herpes. After the virus enters the body, it goes into the nerve cell bodies and remains dormant in ganglions. Antibodies formed against the virus after the first infection, prevent a second infection by the same type. Anyway the immune system is unable to remove the virus from the body completely.

Herpes gingivostomatitis affects the gums and mouth. This is the first symptom in most of the cases. It causes gum bleeding, sensitive teeth and pain in gums. Blisters appear in groups, in the mouth. This comes on more severely than herpes labialis. Herpes labialis presents as groups of characteristic blisters on the lips. Genital herpes features clusters of papules and vesicle surrounded by inflamed skin, on the outer surface of penis or labia. Herpetic whitlow is a very painful infection of finger or toe nail cuticles. Herpetic whitlow is transmitted by contact. Fever, headache, swollen lymph node accompany herpetic whitlow. Herpes meningitis and encephalitis is thought to be due to retrograde migration of virus along nerves to the brain. It affects the temporal lobe mainly. Herpes is the commonest cause of viral meningitis. Herpes esophagitis occurs in immune deficient individuals and feature painful difficult swallowing.

Bell’s palsy and Alzheimer disease are known association of herpes. Analgesics and antivirals are the main treatment methods. Barrier methods can prevent herpes. There is a high risk of transmission to the baby if the mother gets infected during the last days of pregnancy. Aciclovir can be given after 36 weeks. Caesarian section is recommended to minimize contact during delivery.

What is the difference between HPV and Herpes?

• Herpes virus causes blisters while HPV causes warts.

• Herpes virus can remain dormant in nerve cells while HPV infects only dead skin cells.

• HPV can be treated and removed completely from the body while herpes virus cannot be removed completely.

• Herpes virus affects gums, lips, fingers, face mouth, pharynx and brain. HPV infects mouth, throat, lips, skin, ano-genital region.

You also may be interested in reading:

1. Difference Between Herpes and Ingrown Hair

2. Difference Between Pimple and Herpes

3. Difference Between Acne and Herpes 

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