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Genital Warts
Genital warts, sometimes called venereal warts, are contracted through sexual contact. They're spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person.
Genital warts are caused by certain strains of the human papilloma-virus (HPV) and is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.
Symptoms of genital warts:
- bumps appear in and around the vagina or anus or on the cervix in females; or on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh in males.
- can cluster together to form a cauliflower-like shape
One difficulty with genital HPV exposure is that it may take several months or years after infection, for symptoms to appear.
Why are warts considered risky?
- In women, HPV virus can lead to infection in the cervix that may lead to cancer.
- Men infected with HPV can also be at risk of cancer of the penis and anus.
You are at high risk of contracting genital warts if -
- Multiple sexual partners
- Not knowing if someone you had sex with has the virus..
- At an early age, you start to be sexually active.
- Tobacco and alcohol use.
- Stress and other viral infections (such as HIV or herpes) at the same time.
Why should warts be treated?
Removing warts reduces the risk of passing the virus to partners. Genital warts can itch or bleed and interfere with bowel movements, urination, and sexual intimacy.
What treatment is available for genital warts?
Most genital warts require two or more doses of treatment. However, there's no cure for an HPV infection because treatment just removes the genital warts that it causes.
The various options available for curing genital warts are:- using prescription medications
- cryosurgery - freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen
- laser treatment
As the HPV remains dormant in the body, genital warts may reappear from time to time after treatment. Those who have had one outbreak of genital warts should be aware that they still carry the virus and can infect others. Women need to be especially careful - warts can invade the vagina and cervix, resulting in more serious diseases.
HPV Vaccine - what is it?
The HPV vaccine to prevent genital warts is approved for females 9 to 26 years old. The vaccine, called Gardasil, is to be given as three injections over a 6-month period. It doesn't protect females if they've already been infected with HPV. The vaccine also doesn't protect against all types of HPV, so it's important to make sure you get routine checkups.
How to prevent oneself from contracting this disease?
- Total abstinence at adolescent age is the only 100 % way of avoiding genital warts.
- You can also avoid by having a monogamous sexual relationship with a partner known to be disease-free.
- Condoms offer limited protection against genital warts, but use them to prevent any other STD. They can't completely prevent warts because these can be outside the area protected by the condom.
- Spermicidal foams, creams, and jellies have not yet been proven to protect against genital warts.
A word of caution for parents who have teenage children:
The discovery of any type of STD in your child should trigger suspicion of sexual abuse or sexual activity. It's important to consider all possibilities to protect the health of your child.
If you become aware that your teenager has an STD, talk about using protection and about the value in not having sex at this age.