HPV and Other Common STIs
A study [2] conducted to probe the relationship between other sexually transmitted infections and HPV states that 68.6% of women under study, had a co-infection, HPV and other such infectious agents were detected in them. It concludes that having one of the STIs, increases the chance of infection with HPV. Together the infections can cause precancerous lesions which can progress to tumors if not attended to.
Herpes simplex virus is another sexually transmitted infection that can be confused with HPV. Herpes causes fluid-filled blisters rather than rough warts as seen in HPV. These blisters can occur along the margins of the mouth and folds of the nose, or on the genitals. The preference for the same anatomical location for presentation can confuse the two conditions.