Genital Warts
Genital warts are really common for people who are really sexually active. Being sexually active will allow one person to transfer the virus to another person in the same area where the affected person has it.
In the United States population, there are more or less half of the people that has experiences this kind of growth. It is really nice to know that there are lots of options to choose from and what’s comforting it is that there are high chances of getting rid of genital warts just by choosing the right treatment and the right person to help you.
What are Genital Warts?
These warts are soft like growths on the genitals which are caused by a viral skin disease. These genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted disease S(STD), called sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Symptoms
These warts, Genital, are raised, flesh-colored lesions on the genitals, anus, or surrounding skin. Sometimes they will appear as cauliflower-like growths around the anus or genitals. But you will find that frequently there are often no symptoms.
Symptoms you May Notice
- Vaginal Bleeding which is not associated with a menstrual period, after sexual intercourse.
- Moisture or dampness in the area of the growth
- Penis, scrotum, anal area, or vulva Itching.
- Vaginal discharge increase.
Treatment
You should always get genital warts treated by a physician. It is advised against using over the counter remedies meant for other kinds of warts. Some time your doctor may treat genital warts by applying a skin treatment in the office. But, sometimes, the physician will prescribe a medication that you apply at home several times per week.
There is a lot of solutions which are readily available although for those that have acquired an HPV, chances are thin and probabilities are low because of the fact that there is still no known cure for HPV. But if you get diagnosed early, there are better chances of preventing it from becoming malignant, but it will continue to bother you.
You will find that genital warts are more controversial than the usual skin wart that you see externally. If you decide to buy over-the-counter medicines are not usually meant for genital wart removal because of how sensitive the condition is. Seeing your physician is really advisable in order to carefully diagnose and give accurate management for the growth in particular areas of your genitals.
You physician may also decide that you need surgical treatments include cryosurgery, electrocauterization, laser therapy, or cutting them out.
As soon as you notice that you have developed genital warts, all of your sexual partners must be examined by a health care provided and treated if genital warts are found.
When treated the initial time, your physician will schedule follow up examinations to make sure that the warts have not returned.
Pap smears is necessary for women who have had genital warts and women whose partners have ever had genital warts, because warts on the cervix needs to be examined every 3 to 6 months after the initial treatment.
Causes
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the virus responsible for genital warts. This is the virus that can cause warts on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, and around the anus.
There are lots, more than 70 different types, of HPV.
Genital warts are associated with several types. The other types of warts are associated with the common flat wart elsewhere on the skin. Some type of warts have been associated with cancer of the cervix and valva.
In a moist genital area, HPV grows well. You will find that warts on the outer genitals are easily recognized. These type of warts are usually raised, flesh colored lesions that may occur singly or in clusters. If these are left untreated, warts may rapidly enlarge, taking on a “Cauliflower-like” appearance.
HPV, in women, can invade the vagina and cervix. Warts on the vagina and cervix are flat and not easily visible without special procedures. It is know, that HPV can lead to cancerous and precancerous changes in the cervix, it is important that this condition be diagnosed and treated.
Women must have regular pap Smears are necessary to detect HPV or other abnormal changes related to this virus. Having HPV and Herpes Virus at the same time may put you at increased risk for cervical cancer.
You are a higher risk For Getting Genital Warts and other Complications of HPV if:
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Multiple sexual partners
- Early age when you start to be sexually active
- Not knowing if someone you had sex with had STDs
- Stress and other viral infections (such as HIV or herpes) at the same time
If a child is discovered to have genital warts, you should suspect sexual abuse as a possible cause.
Tests and Diagnosis
A physician does a genital examination which reveals flesh-colored to white, flat or raised, single or clustered lesions anywhere on the genitalia.
A pelvic examination in women, may reveal growths on the vaginal walls or the cervix. Ccolposcopy, magnification, may be used to see lesions invisible to the naked eye. The physician will examine the tissue of the vagina and cervix which may then be treated with acetic acid to make the warts visible. A Pap smear will usually show changes associated with HPV.
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Prognosis
If you are treated with the proper treatment by your physician, genital wart outbreaks usually can be controlled. However, you will find that the warts frequently reappear after treatment. This means, even after you have been treated for HPV, you may still infect others.
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It has been proven that certain types of genital warts increase a woman’s risk for cancer of the cervix and vulva.
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Prevention
would be necessary for a person to have total abstinence which is the only foolproof way of avoiding genital warts and other STDs. If you are in a monogamous sexual relationship with a partner, known to be disease free, you can avoid STDs.
/div>
Skin near and around the warts and around the genitals, anus, and other areas can pass the virus from one person to the next. Therefore, it is necessary for male and female to use condoms but it is know that a condom cannot fully protect you. Therefor, condoms should still be used because they reduce your chances of getting or spreading STDs. These simple precautions must be taken at all times.
/div>
HPV can certainly be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.
/div>
A new vaccine has been identified called Gardasil which prevents infection against four of the HPV strains responsible for the majority of genital warts and cervical cancer in women. This vaccine is given as a series of three shots and it is recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26 to take the vaccine.
Complications
At least 70 types of HPV have been identified and several of these types have been linked to cervical and vulvar cancer. Sometime, the warts will become numerous and quite large, requiring more extensive treatment and follow-up procedures.
/div>
When to contact a doctor
Call your doctor is you are notified if a current or past sexual partner is found to have genital warts. Call your physician if you have visible warts on your external genitals, itching, discharge, or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
/div>
You should keep in mind that genital warts may not appear for months to years after having sexual contact with an infected person
Call your physician, if for some reason you find out that a young child is thought to possibly have genital warts.
/div>
Causes
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the virus responsible for genital warts. This is thevirus that can cause warts on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, and around the anus.Most people have no symptoms when they have the HPV infection around the genitals.
If you know that you have genital warts and no symptoms, you must be treated to avoid complications and spread of the condition to others.There are lots, more than 70 different types, of HPV.
Genital warts are associated with several types. The other types of warts are associated with the common flat wart elsewhere on the skin. Some type of warts have been associated with cancer of the cervix and valva.In a moist genital area, HPV grows well.
You will find that warts on the outer genitals are easily recognized. These type of warts are usually raised, flesh colored lesions that may occur singly or in clusters. If these are left untreated, warts may rapidly enlarge, taking on a “Cauliflower-like” appearance.HPV, in women, can invade the vagina and cervix.
Warts on the vagina and cervix are flat and not easily visible without special procedures. It is know, that HPV can lead to cancerous and precancerous changes in the cervix, it is important that this condition be diagnosed and treated.
Women must have regular pap Smears are necessary to detect HPV or other abnormal changes related to this virus. Having HPV and Herpes Virus at the same time may put you at increased risk for cervical cancer.
You are a higher risk For Getting Genital Warts and other Complications of HPV if:• Tobacco and alcohol use• Multiple sexual partners• Early age when you start to be sexually active• Not knowing if someone you had sex with had STDs• Stress and other viral infections (such as HIV or herpes) at the same timeIf a child is discovered to have genital warts, you should suspect sexual abuse as a possible cause.
Tests and Diagnosis
A physician does a genital examination which reveals flesh-colored to white, flat or raised, single or clustered lesions anywhere on the genitalia.
A pelvic examination in women, may reveal growths on the vaginal walls or the cervix. Ccolposcopy, magnification, may be used to see lesions invisible to the naked eye. The physician will examine the tissue of the vagina and cervix which may then be treated with acetic acid to make the warts visible. A Pap smear will usually show changes associated with HPV.
Prognosis
If you are treated with the proper treatment by your physician, genital wart outbreaks usually can be controlled. However, you will find that the warts frequently reappear after treatment. This means, even after you have been treated for HPV, you may still infect others.It has been proven that certain types of genital warts increase a woman’s risk for cancer of the cervix and vulva.
Prevention
It would be necessary for a person to have total abstinence which is the only foolproof way of avoiding genital warts and other STDs. If you are in a monogamous sexual relationship with a partner, known to be disease free, you can avoid STDs.Skin near and around the warts and around the genitals, anus, and other areas can pass the virus from one person to the next.
Therefore, it is necessary for male and female to use condoms but it is know that a condom cannot fully protect you. Therefore, condoms should still be used because they reduce your chances of getting or spreading STDs. These simple precautions must be taken at all times. HPV can certainly be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.
A new vaccine has been identified called Gardasil which prevents infection against four of the HPV strains responsible for the majority of genital warts and cervical cancer in women. This vaccine is given as a series of three shots and it is recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26 to take the vaccine..
Complications
At least 70 types of HPV have been identified and several of these types have been linked to cervical and vulvar cancer. Sometime, the warts will become numerous and quite large, requiring more extensive treatment and follow-up procedures.
When to Contact a Doctor
Call your doctor is you are notified if a current or past sexual partner is found to have genital warts.
Call your physician if you have visible warts on your external genitals, itching, discharge, or abnormal vaginal bleeding. You should keep in mind that genital warts may not appear for months to years after having sexual contact with an infected person.
Call your physician, if for some reason you find out that a young child is thought to possibly have genital warts.Sexually active teenagers are very susceptible to HPV and should get screened for HPV infection regularly and taught how to prevent getting the HPV.
