Genital Warts | HPV
Genital warts are infections that are medically known as condyloma acuminate.
These warts are grayish or flesh-colored growths that are found around the
genitalia and anal areas in both men and women. They are an extremely common
sexually transmitted disease that is caused from a virus called the
human papillomavirus. This
virus, known commonly as HPV, may cause warts that are not very obvious to many,
as they generally do not cause any pain. For more information on genital warts
and what they are, go to
Wikipedia.
The causes of genital warts by HPV are many. There have been more than 100 types
of identified HPVs, and around 40 of these may cause issues in the groin area of
men and women alike. To read about the causes of genital warts, go to
Medicine Net and
Avert. The
typical age of infection from genital warts is between 17 to 33 years. They are
a contagious infection, and those who come into direct contact through sexual
activity have at least a 60% chance of obtaining the infection. For more
information, go to
Naturalsil.
The symptoms of genital warts can differ between
patients. They are painless, yet they can be irritating due to the location and
size of them. They can also itch, causing much discomfort. Both men and women
may suffer from discharge due to the warts, and the warts are easily spread
around the area. In rare cases, bleeding and/or a urinary obstruction can occur
if the warts are directly located on the urethral opening. To learn more about
the various symptoms of genital warts, go to
Niaid and
Mayo Clinic.
Genital warts must be treated by a doctor. One way is to remove them is
through a process called
Cryotherapy, where the wart is frozen by liquid nitrogen. A laser is then
used to take the wart off. For more information on the treatment and options
available to rid the body of genital warts, go to
Emedicine,
Family Doctor, and
Epigee. Over the counter creams and ointments should not be used on genital
warts, as they are generally not effective and can cause additional problems and
discomfort. However, medicines are available from the doctor to help treat
genital warts.
Podofilox is useful for prevention and can be applied from home.
Podophyllum Resin can also be prescribed by a doctor and used for removal,
as can
Imiquimod.
Aldara is another
treatment that doctors can use to treat genital warts. Again, all genital
wart cases must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible to receive the best
medicine for each individual.
The
FDA approved a vaccine in June of 2006 to prevent and protect against the
HPV virus. HPV can lead not only to genital warts but also to cervical cancer in
girls. For more information on this vaccine, go to
Kid's Health and the
CDC. To learn about preventing genital warts and HPV in men, read up at
USA Today.
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