Viral STIs By Amber Riley and Courtney Rosenkrantz

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 This form of herpes is spread by person to person contact. It can also be spread form a mother to a child during childbirth. The main symptom are blisters, or cold sores, around the lips, nose, chin, cheeks, or inner mouth.

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 This type of herpes is spread by sexual contact. This type is also known as genital herpes. It causes ulcers or blisters in the genital area. These blisters last about two weeks. Another symptom is meningitis, but it is rare. Like the Herpes Simplex Virus 1, it can be given to the child at birth from the mother.

Hepatitis B This STI is spread through bodily fluids such as vaginal discharge and semen. Hepatitis B is known to cause Liver failure. Symptoms include fever, nausea, tiredness, turning yellow, dark colored urine and appetite loss.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) HPV is spread by both contact with skin and sexual contact. It can be transmitted to the baby from the mother during childbirth. The symptom of HPV are warts on the feet, hands, mouth, larynx, vagina, cervix, and near the anus. Can cause cervical, anal cancer, and certain tumors.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Spread through contact with bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal discharge, and blood. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, skin rash, swollen glands, muscle aches, joint pains, and headaches. Like most STIs it can be spread to the child from the mother during childbirth. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, skin rash, swollen glands, muscle aches, joint pains, and headaches. There is no actual treatment for HIV, but there are medicines such as highly active antiretroviral therapies that slow down the disease.