Genital Warts

Genital Warts:

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. More than 30 types of HPV can be infected the genital area. They are common warts seen on the fingers, hands and face. It can be transmitted through skin to skin contact, unprotective sex or sexual contact.

The HPV can enter the body through microscopic tears in the superficial layers of the skin, cervix or vagina. It can multiply to cause genital warts. The infection can be located on the vulva of the woman and the testicles of the man, the HPV can spread to the partner during sexual contact.

Genital warts occur about one million cases every year. It often grows rapidly when a person’s immune system is weakened by HIV/AIDS, Hodgkin’s disease, diabetes and taking anti-rejection drugs.

Symptoms and signs:

• Genital warts are very small, they can be seeing with the colposcope.
• Burning and itching in affected area.
• Small, pink, gray, red swellings in genital area.
• Pain or bleeding
• Some warts close together.

Causes:

Genital warts are caused by infection of HPV. There are more than 100 types of HPV, but about 30 types of HPV can cause genital warts. They can spread through sexual contact with a person who is infected by any types of virus.

Risk factors:

• Poor hygiene and nutrition.
• Having another sexually transmitted disease.
• Medical conditions that suppress the immune system.
• Having unprotected sex with multiple partners.

When to seek medical advice?

Go to your heath care provider immediately if, you have sexual partner who has been diagnosed with genital warts and if you have warts in your genital area. It is important to have a regular pap test within three years of your first sexual encounter. Pap test can help detect cervical cancer caused by infection of HPV. Patients who had genital warts may need to have a pap test every two months.

Treatment:

Medications-

Podofilox: Your doctor will recommend precautionary steps to prevent the medication from irritating surrounding skin. Don’t apply Podofilox internally on the infected area.

Imiquimod: Imiquimod cream is very helpful to fight genital warts. If the cream is on infected area, you should avoid sexual contact. It can be irritated your partner’s skin.

Trichloroacetic acid: Apply Trichloroacetic acid on affected area by your healthcare provider. It is helpful to burns off genital warts. Don’t use OTC reliever to treat the genital wart; it can cause irritation and pain.

Surgery-

Surgical excision: Special tools and local anesthesia may be used for this treatment. Special tools may use by doctor to cut off genital warts. Your doctor may also use Electrocautery to burn off warts.

Freezing with liquid nitrogen: It is also known as cryotherapy treatment. Your doctor may use freezing with liquid nitrogen to the lesions slough off and allowing new skin to appear.

Laser treatment: This treatment can be expensive but it is safe and effective. It is a good treatment for extensive genital warts.

Prevention

• Avoid sexual contact with a person who is infected with HPV.

• You or your partner uses a latex condom during sexual contact.

• Vaccination may protect against HPV.