QUOTE
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection seen at sexual health clinics in the UK and it is likely that most of us have had HPV at some time in our lives — although we may not have known it. So what is HPV, how can it be prevented and treated, and what does papilloma mean anyway?
Papilloma means a growth or wart, which is why HPV is also known as the 'wart virus'. In practical terms, however, only about 10% of people with HPV develop warts. The vast majority of people with HPV don't, and are therefore unlikely to know that they are infected or that they may be passing the virus to their sexual partner(s).
So 90% of people with the virus HAVE NO IDEA that they have it.
However what you SHOULD be worrying about is the HSV-1 virus. Otherwise known as Herpes Simplex 1. In normal day-to-day life you see people with this one every day of the week. It is normally seen as "cold sores" around the mouth, lots of people get them and they carry the virus permanently.
However if you have oral sex with someone with cold sores - this can transmit the Herpes Simplex 1 virus to the gentital area - and that is called "Genital Herpes" leading to recurring infections of the genitals, buttocks and anal area.
Noooooooooooooooooo I hear you say - you are wrong Johnny - that is a different disease.
Nope.
Genital Herpes is most commonly caused by the Herpes Simplex 2 variety BUT can also be caused by the Herpes Simplex 1.
QUOTE
OVERVIEW
Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals, buttocks, or anal area caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV.
HSV type 1 most commonly infects the mouth and lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores. It is also an important cause of sores to the genitals.
HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 5 American teenagers and adults is infected with HSV-2. Women are more commonly infected than men. In the United States, 1 out of 4 women is infected with HSV-2.
Since the late 1970s, the number of people with genital herpes infection has increased 30 percent nationwide. The largest increase has been among teens and young adults.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdherp.htm
