Genital Warts, Human Papilloma Virus, HPV Information


The following genital wart section is for informational purposes only. The information has been compiled from a variety of resources in order to give the reader an overview of genital warts including the various genital wart treatment options.

Genital warts, human papilloma virus, HPV are all synonymous for a sexualy transmitted disease, STD that has a wart like appearance on both male and female genitalia.

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Genital Warts

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. Health experts estimate that there are more cases of genital HPV infection than of any other STD in Europe. According to the Social Health Association, approximately 5.5 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported every year. At least 20 million Europeans are already infected.

Scientists have identified more than 100 types of HPV, most of which are harmless. About 30 types are spread through sexual contact. Some types of HPV that cause genital infections can also cause cervical cancer and other genital cancers.

Like many STDs, genital HPV infections often do not have visible signs and symptoms. One study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported that almost half of the women infected with HPV had no obvious symptoms. People who are infected but who have no symptoms may not know they can transmit HPV to others or that they can develop complications from the virus

In women, the warts occur on the outside and inside of the vagina, on the opening (cervix) to the womb (uterus), or around the anus. In men, genital warts are less common. If present, they usually are seen on the tip of the penis. They also may be found on the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anus. Rarely, genital warts also can develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person. Genital warts often occur in clusters and can be very tiny or can spread into large masses in the genital or anal area.

Warts on other parts of the body, such as the hands, are caused by different types of HPV. Contact with these warts does not seem to cause genital warts.

Causes of Genital Warts

HPV can be transmitted through oral, anal, or genital contact with an infected person, even if warts are not visible. Care must be taken, because the virus may also be transmitted via objects that have been recently exposed to the virus. These may include unwashed or improperly cleaned medical equipment, as well as underwear, tanning beds, and sex toys.

Genital warts are very contagious and are spread during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner. About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with a partner with genital warts will develop warts, usually within three months of contact. The virus may also be transmitted via objects that have been recently exposed to HPV. These objects include improperly sanitized medical equipment, underwear, tanning beds, and sex toys.

Additional risk factors for contracting genital warts include:

• Multiple sex partners
   
• Anal intercourse
   
• Poor personal hygiene
   
• Heavy perspiration
   
• Infection with another sexually transmitted disease (STD)
   
• Pregnancy

Genital Wart Concerns

Human Papilloma virus or genital warts is a virus similar to herpes that you will have for life. Certain types of the Human Papilloma virus can cause cancer of the cervix, therefore, it is important to have regular pelvic exams with regular pap smears to check for pre-malignant cells.

Untreated warts can become large and cause complications during pregnancy and childbirth, although rare, infants born to women with genital warts may get the warts in their throats called laryngeal papillomatosis. This condition can be life threatening for the infant and often requires laser surgery to help the baby breathe.

Prevention of Genital Warts

The following are some guidelines in preventing the spread of genital warts:

• Practice abstinence (do not have sex).
   
• Delaying having your fist sexual encounter, studies show that the younger people are when having sex for the first time, the more likely it is that they will get a sexual transmitted disease (STD). The risk of getting an STD also becomes greater over time, as the number of a person's sex partners increases.
   
• Have a sexual relationship with only one partner who is free from any STDs.
   
• Practice safe sex, use a condom every time you have a sexual encounter, condoms don't provide complete protection against STDs. But, they do decrease your chances of getting an STD.
   
• Limit your number of sexual partners. Your risk of getting HPV increases with the number of partners.
   
• Do not douche, this removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This can increase your risk for getting HPV.
   
• When you are sexually active, especially if you have more than one partner, get regular exams for STDs from a health care provider. Tests for STDs can be done during an exam. And, the earlier an STD is found, the easier it is to treat.
   
• Learn the common symptoms of HPV infection and other STDs. Seek medical help right away if you think you may have HPV or another STD.

Diagnosis of Genital Warts

Unfortunately, most individuals are unaware that they have the virus because they have no symptoms. In women the genital warts often go unnoticed secondary to there position on the labia. Individuals can still spread the virus even though they are not experiencing any of the symptoms. Genital warts can be very small making them difficult to see, your physician may place vinegar on the areas where he/she thinks you may have the lesions, vinegar, turns the genital warts white making them easier to visualize. Your physician may also use colonoscopy which involves an instrument that magnifies areas of the vagina to assist with visualization of the virus. In addition scrapings from the genital warts to be viewed under a dark field microscope.

The diagnosis is usually made by examining scrapings from the warts under a dark field microscope. If the warts are caused by HPV, they will turn white when a 5% solution of white vinegar is added. If the warts reappear, the doctor may order a biopsy to rule out cancer.

Treatment of Genital Warts

Prescription medication i.e. Aldara cream remains the most recommended treatment for  the treatment of genital warts by doctors. Aldara represents a cream that is applied to the actual genital wart, following several applications in most case the genital wart is removed.

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