Genital Warts Can Be Prevented

 

Genital Warts Can Be Prevented

 The HPV or human papilloma virus causes genital warts.  This is a sexually transmitted disease, which is transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.  Genital wart symptoms may not be present in an infected person.  The virus can remain latent for months or even years.  Even in its latent state the virus can be transmitted.  If you think you may have genital warts or require genital warts treatment, excellent pictures of genital warts are available on Wikipedia.

 The incidence of genital warts is about the same in men and women. In women the warts can appear both inside and outside the vagina and are often found on the cervix. They can also appear around the anus.  In men the warts can be found on the tip and shaft of the penis, around the scrotum and the anus.  Genital warts can appear in tiny clusters or large masses. Symptoms are often less obvious in men than in women.

 There is a vaccine, Guardisil, which is effective in preventing the HPV virus, which causes the warts.  It is FDA approved for use in young women.  It is being tested on young men, especially in the UK and may be released for use.  Condoms should always be used during sexual activity to prevent the spread of disease. However, condoms cannot guarantee disease prevention, they only lower the risk.

 Genital warts can also be found in the mouth and throat, although this is very rare.  Transmission of the disease by oral genital contact is not impossible.  Warts can occur in the urethra, especially in men and can cause urinary obstruction requiring immediate treatment.  EMedicineHealth has great advice regarding genital warts treatment and pictures of genital warts.

 Genital wart symptoms may include itching or vaginal discharge in women.  The warts may or may not be easily visible, and are not usually painful.  There are other less serious conditions, which can be mistaken for genital warts.  If you are not sure, see your doctor.

 It was believed that genital warts were a permanent condition and the virus lasted a lifetime.  It is now known that in most cases the virus clears in one to two years with the average infection lasting about 8 months.  The warts will not go away if left untreated. Treatments include topical creams and solutions, cryosurgery, and laser or electric cauterization.

 If you have genital wart symptoms see your doctor.  If you wish to know what genital warts look like, pictures of genital warts are available on the web.  If you have not yet been exposed to the HPV virus, get a Guardisil vaccine and protect yourself.  It may be embarrassing to have an STD, but is dangerous not to have it treated.