Statistics show that on average one out of 4 Americans aged between 15 and 55 will contract some form of sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Knowledge about these diseases will help prevent you from exposing yourself to the dangers.
In this article we focus on genital herpes and warts specifically.
Genital herpes This disease is caused by the Herpes simplex virus (HSV); it is an incurable virus and has two types - herpes-1 and herpes-2.
The disease manifests itself in the form of a rash that results in clusters of white sores that appear on the vagina, anus, mouth, penis, and other parts of the body.
The rash is painful; it causes itching and burning, swollen glands, headache, fever and fatigue.
The symptoms tend to come and go and may be brought on by stress, menstrual periods and other reasons.
It is possible for the disease to spread beyond genital contact and can attack other parts of the body.
Oral herpes can be transmitted through kissing, drinking from the same glass and sharing the same towel.
Genital warts Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV); it is spread through sexual intercourse.
It is possible for an infected person to spread the disease to an infant during childbirth.
The warts grow on the genitals, the inner vagina, throat and the anus area.
There are a variety of treatments for genital warts including surgery, freezing by the use of liquid nitrogen and cauterization with electric needles.
The warts may reappear at any time.
Genital warts are not very common in men and tend to occur only on the tip of the penis.
In women they occur both on the inside and outside of the vagina and around the anus.
These warts have been known to develop in the mouth due to oral sexual contact.
Genital herpes and warts are both sexually transmitted diseases and have no real cure.