HSV and HPV: The Differences HSV causes oral (HSV-1) and genital (HSV-2) herpes, characterized by painful blisters and sores, and is spread through skin-to-skin contact. In contrast, HPV leads to genital warts and is associated with various cancers, including cervical cancer, and is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. While HSV can be managed with antiviral medications, there is no cure. HPV also has no cure, but its symptoms can be treated, and vaccines are available to protect agains