Questions About Viral STDs

Herpes, HIV, HPV, & Hepatitis

Have a question about viral STDs? Answers to your STD symptom, STD testing, STD prevention, and STD treatment questions can all be found right here! Want to know more about herpes, HPV, HIV, or Hepatitis? Submit a question yourself and for inclusion in the Viral STD FAQ.

Other STD FAQs:

• General STD FAQ
• Common Non-Viral STD (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, etc.)FAQ
• Uncommon STD (Chancroid, MRSA, Molluscum, etc.)FAQ

Questions About Specific STDs

• Herpes
  • Can Cold Sores Give Me Genital Herpes?
    If your girlfriend has a cold sore, could it put you at risk of acquiring genital herpes? The answer might surprise you.
  • Do Cold Sores Protect Me From Genital Herpes?
    A lot of people think that cold sores might be protective against genital herpes, but that does not seem to be the case.
  • Can Suppressive Therapy Help Prevent Herpes Transmission?
    When you are infected with genital herpes, one of your biggest worries is often whether you're going to transmit it to your partner. Condoms do a good job of reducing your risk, but suppressive therapy can also help.
  • What is Asymptomatic Shedding?
    Asymptomatic shedding is when you have no symptoms of a herpes infection, but are still able to transmit the virus to your partner.
  • Does Herpes Increase My Risk of Getting HIV?
    Herpes infection has been shown to significantly increase an individual's risk of acquiring HIV. The question is, why doesn't treatment seem to help?
  • Could There Be a Cure for Herpes?
    Right now, herpes is only treatable not curable. However, some new research suggests that that may not always be the case...
  • What are the Symptoms of Herpes?
    You think you might have been infected with Herpes. What symptoms should you be on the lookout for?
  • How Do I Get Tested for Herpes?
    It's not always easy to get your doctor to test you for herpes. However, that doesn't mean it can't be done.
  • What do I Need to Know About Herpes During Pregnancy?
    If you are pregnant, and have herpes, it's important to let your doctor know right away. It may necessitate some changes in your pregnancy care.
  • What is the Treatment for Herpes?
    Herpes isn't curable, but there are treatments that can help to deal with symptoms and even reduce the possibility of transmission.
• HPV
  • Is Gardasil Safe?
    News reports may suggest that the HPV vaccine is a dangerous drug, but their assertions are not supported by science.
  • How does Gardasil work? Can the HPV vaccine give me cancer?
    The HPV vaccine is designed to keep you from getting cancer, not give it to you. Since it doesn't contain viral DNA, it doesn't put you at risk of an infection.
  • Is Penile Cancer Caused by HPV?
    A lot of men think that, with the exception of genital warts, HPV is a woman's problem. They're wrong. Many penile, and other, cancers are also caused by HPV.
  • Does The HPV Vaccine Work in Men?
    Early research suggests that the HPV vaccine may have direct benefits for men as well as women. Hopefully soon it will be available for individuals of both sexes.
  • What are the Symptoms of HPV?
    Like many STDs, HPV infections often have no symptoms. However when symptoms do occur, they can be pretty varied.
  • How Do I Get Tested for HPV?
    HPV testing isn't as available as many individuals might wish. Most often, people are tested for the effects of the virus rather than the virus itself.
  • What is the Treatment for HPV?
    The treatment for HPV depends on how the virus is manifesting. Genital warts are treated differently from cervical cancer, which is treated differently from cancer of the throat.
• HIV
  • What is the Difference Between HIV & AIDS?
    HIV is a virus, but AIDS is a definition. Learn more about why talking about HIV & AIDS means discussing two separate things.
  • What is the Difference Between Anonymous & Confidential Testing?
    For some people, just getting an HIV test can put their job at risk. It's therefore extremely important for individuals to understand the difference between anonymous and confidential testing.
  • How Does the Doctor Test My Blood or Saliva for HIV?
    HIV testing can be rather confusing. Not all tests work in the same way, which can affect the way they're interpreted and when they can be done.
  • How can Circumcision Reduce HIV Risk?
    Several African studies have shown that circumcision can reduce HIV risk in certain populations. How does that work, and is the research applicable in the United States?
  • What are the Symptoms of HIV?
    HIV doesn't have symptoms, at least not in the usual sense. What it does is increase your susceptibility to other infections.
  • How Do I Get Tested for HIV?
    There are lots of HIV testing options. Pretty much anyone can find the right one for them.
  • What do I Need to Know About HIV During Pregnancy?
    Although it's scary to be HIV Positive and pregnant, proper treatment can drastically reduce the liklihood of transmitting the virus to your baby. So can choosing not to breastfeed...
  • What is the Treatment for HIV?
    HIV treatment options are incredibly complex. Most individuals are treated with a combination of numerous different types of drugs in order to keep the virus under control.
• Hepatitis B
  • What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis B?
    The symptoms of hepatitis B affect your whole body, and range from jaundice, to joint aches, to fever.
  • How Do I Get Tested for Hepatitis B?
    Hepatitis B is diagnosed via a blood test, but it can be avoided all together with a very safe vaccine.
  • What do I Need to Know About Hepatitis B During Pregnancy?
    Hepatitis infection can affect the outcome of your pregnancy, so it is important to talk to your doctor if you have been diagnosed with hepatitis and are, or are planning to become, pregnant.
  • What is the Treatment for Hepatitis B?
    Most individuals with acute hepatitis B infections kick the infection within 3-4 months, without treatment. Chronic infections, however, can be treated but not cured.