HEALTH PRODUCTS ARTICLE
Genital Warts Are Extremely Contagious
Genital warts
affect the moist tissue of the genital area. They may look like small,
flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance. Sometimes they can
be very small, or multiply into large clusters.
In women, genital warts may grow on the vulva,
the vaginal walls, the area between the external genitals and the anus, and the
cervix. In men, they may occur on the shaft or tip of the penis, the scrotum or
the anus.
Genital warts can
often develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sexual
contact with an infected person. Itching or discomfort is a symptom, along with
bleeding during intercourse. During pregnancy genital warts may occur from
triggering a dormant infection.
Genital warts are
caused by a virus (HPV) that infects the top layer of the skin. There are over
100 different types of HPV, but only a select few can cause genital warts,
which are extremely contagious and spread through sexual intercourse with an
infected individual.
About two-thirds
of people who have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts develop
the condition, usually within 3 months, but sometimes it may not happen for
years.
Risk factors for
becoming infected with HPV are:
- Having unprotected sex with multiple partners
- Having sex with a partner whose sexual history you are unaware of
HPV can cause
problems during pregnancies, and can result in cervical cancer.
It is often
difficult to detect genital warts, so your doctor may apply an acetic acid
solution to your genitals to whiten any warts. Then the doctor may view them
through a special microscope called a colpscope. It is very important to have a
regular pelvic exam and Pap tests, which can help detect vaginal and cervical
changes caused by genital warts.
If your warts
aren’t causing you any discomfort you may not need treatment, and up to 30% of
genital warts go away without treatment. If you are experiencing itching,
burning and pain or visible warts are causing emotional distress, a doctor can
help clear an outbreak with medicine or surgical treatments.
The medications
for genital warts that can be applied directly to your skin include:
Imiquimoid, Podophyllin, and trichloroacetic. Surgery may be needed to remove
the larger warts, or if your warts don’t respond to the medications. A doctor
may freeze them with liquid nitrogen, surgical excisions, and laser treatments.
Always make sure
to use protection during sexual intercourse to protect yourself from getting genital warts if your partner has them.
Health and Humor
Voltaire
(and your grandmother) recognized long ago
that humor and laughter are good for you. You've probably noticed
yourself that
you simply feel better after a good belly laugh. The problem, of
course, is
that your sense of humor generally abandons you right when you need it
the most
– on the tough days. But if you manage to bring your sense of humor to
your
daily conflicts on your job, your relationship with your spouse and
children,
and your health or financial problems, you'll go a long way toward
improving
the quality of your life; and you'll boost your physical health and
well-being.
– Paul E. McGhee, PhD
“Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. ”
- Erma Bombeck
Note: The good
folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the
companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find
on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy
any of these products.
– Dave Tishendorf