Oral and Genital Herpes

Oral and genital herpes are caused by 2 different viruses. Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) causes oral herpes, also known as cold sores. Both HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) can cause genital herpes. Both viruses live in nerve cells under the skin, and most of the time there are no symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, this is called an "outbreak" or a "flare-up." During an outbreak, small painful bumps appear. Over time, the bumps will rupture, heal, and disappear for a while.

Treatment for Herpes

There is no cure for herpes. Once you are infected, there is no way to clear it from your body, but there are drugs you can take that will make herpes sores heal faster, reduce the pain, and reduce the number of flare-ups.

Genital Warts

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common, and 75% of sexually active adults have been infected at some time. You can get genital warts from direct skin-to-skin contact. Condoms may help lower the risk of getting warts, but they do not prevent all skin-to-skin contact. Ask your healthcare provider about vaccines for HPV.

Treating Genital Warts

If left untreated, the warts may disappear, remain the same, or increase in size or number. If you have warts and they itch, bleed, orjust embarrass you, you can treat them yourself or get treatment from your healthcare provider. At-home treatments include solutions, which make the warts shrink or disappear, and a cream, which helps your body's immune system fight the infection that is causing warts. Your healthcare provider has several options available, such as freezing off the warts (cryotherapy).

Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a cancer of blood vessels. It is the most frequent cancer to occur in people with AIDS, and is most common in men with HIV who have sex with men. It does not occur as often in IV drug users, and it is rare in women.

KS appears as red or purplish lesions (spots and raised bumps) on the skin. They often appear first on the legs or feet.

Treating KS

There is no cure for KS, but HIV treatment may boost the immune system enough to keep its symptoms under control. If you have painful lesions or if the way they look makes you uncomfortable, they can be removed with surgery, by freezing (cryotherapy), or radiation.