Genital Warts Prevention and Treatment
Genital WARTS are the most common viral SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE in the United States, outranking even genital HERPES; almost two million Americans are treated for genital warts each year. Most cases are diagnosed in teenage girls; older women may have the virus, but their immune systems control the outbreaks. Those who are most at risk are people with more than one sex partner and those who do not use condoms.
Known causes of genital warts
Eight different types of human PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) are associated with genital warts; a few (types 16 and 18) cause cervical cancer. These types of warts are not usually visible. The different types of warts can only be distinguished in a research lab. The wart virus is transmitted during unprotected sex with an infected partner. A person is infectious when visible warts are present in the genital area; however, even if the warts have disappeared, the virus may still be present in the body.
Symptoms of genital warts
Genital warts are pink to gray, soft, raised or flat, and may cause itching, burning, or bleeding around the genital area. They may appear alone or in clusters, ranging in size from pinpoint to a small mass. Boys and men usually notice the warts on the penis, although they can also appear in the anus or the urethra and are often completely missed. Girls and women may find warts on the vulva, vagina, or anus; occasionally they may occur on the cervix. Incubation period is unknown. The warts are not painful, but they can grow and block the openings of the vagina, anus, urethra, or throat.
Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose the condition from the wart’s appearance; a magnifying glass may be needed to find small warts. Odd-looking warts may require biopsy.
Genital Warts Treatment
There is no cure that will remove all traces of the virus from the body. Instead, treatment aims at removing or shrinking the warts, whether by freezing, using a topical solution or a laser, or surgery. Unfortunately, warts often reappear after treatment. Infected partners should avoid sex when the warts are large, bleeding, or painful. A doctor should be consulted if warts block rectal openings or if there is trouble urinating. Podophyllin topical solution is applied by a doctor to external genital warts only (it should not be used in the cervix, rectum, or during pregnancy). The solution must not touch the surrounding skin,
as it can be irritating. If there are no results after four weeks, another treatment method should be used. Podofilox 0.05 percent is a prescription topical solution that can be applied by the woman for external warts. It works by killing wart tissue.