The disease will tend to come back over time, with annoying attacks which produce painful sores, but which last only about a week. I have discussed the manifestations and treatment of herpes in many previous postings, so check my archive at Thrive . When a sore is present, a swab can be taken for culture. This is the only accurate way of telling if the virus is causing a particular sore. There is also a blood test which will tell if one has ever been infected, and which will turn positive about 6-12 weeks after the first infection.
Many people have a positive blood test and have never had a sore.
They do not know that they are infected, but they may be able to transmit the virus. In my opinion herpes is important mostly because having the sore makes it easier to catch HIV during unprotected sex. There are many varieties of HPV, and they all cause warts. People can get warts anywhere on the skin surface or on mucus membranes like those in the vagina or the mouth. HPV can definitely be transmitted through inanimate objects as well as sexually.