Am I Safe From Genital Warts?

Genital warts are very common. Health experts states that more than a million new cases of genital warts are diagnosed in the United States every year. Unfortunately, the number continues to increase. Based on the most recent health surveys, the prevalence of genital warts among citizens in the United States have increased twice faster than the prevalence rate of genital herpes in the past ten years.

However, not everyone who has the infection manifests symptoms. In fact, only one percent of the HPV infected population develops visible signs and symptoms. That is why you may actually have genital warts but not know about it.

What causes Genital Warts?

Genital Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This refers to a group of viruses comprised of more than eighty types. All of these types can cause wounds, lesions, sores, and warts. The most common of these types are Type 6, Type 11, Type 16, and Type 18. Type 6 and 11 are considered as the low-risk HPV types because they are more associated with skin lesions and sores. In contrast, Types 16 and 18 are classified as high risk types since they can cause abnormal cell growth (neoplasia or dysplasia). Such cell malfunction can cause cancers of the cervix or the anus.

How are warts passed on?

Although genital warts are very common, there are ways in avoiding victimization by this plague. To ensure your safety from genital warts, you should be aware of how the HPV virus spreads.

a. The HPV virus can easily be transmitted from one person to another by having sexual intercourse. A person who is sexually active is also highly at risk for genital warts. Regardless of gender and your age, this group is very vulnerable to the infection.

b. The HPV virus can spread not only through actual sexual intercourse. If a person has genital warts and you share the same sex toys, the virus will be transmitted just the same.

c. You don't need to have penetrative sex to get genital warts. The virus can be easily transmitted through skin to skin contact. Close genital contact can spread the virus.

d. If you are having sexual intercourse with a person with genital warts, you can still get the HPV virus even if you are using a condom. This is because condoms do not cover the entire part of the genital area. As such, you are still highly at risk from transmission through skin to skin contact.

e. The absence of genital warts in a person with HPV virus should not be regarded as an indication that HPV transmission is improbable. Keep it mind that even though genital warts are not visibly present, you can still get the HPV virus.

f. If you have oral sex with a person that has genital warts or a person with the HPV virus, you can develop warts in your lips or in your mouth.

g. If genital warts develop in your genital area, it is highly probable for you to develop warts around your anal area even without anal sex.

h. If no lesions or sores are present from a person infected with the HPV virus, it will not be transmitted through kissing, hugging, sharing towels and utensils, bathing in the same pool, and using the same toilet.

W. Darren - - About the Author:

For more information, kindly visit Genital Warts Support Team - a health resource dedicated to providing factual information about Genital Warts Treatment. Don't miss out the useful topics: "What Are Genital Warts?", "Symtoms of Genital Warts" and more.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/am-i-safe-from-genital-warts-723924.html

Anal Genital Warts

Anal genital wart (also known as venereal genital wart, anal genital warts and condylomata acuminata) are external symptoms of infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV). hpv is a family of viruses with more than 100 strains, the symptoms of which include anal genital warts, genital anal warts, common warts on hands, and plantar warts on feet.

The American Social Health Association reports the number of Americans with at least one form of sexually transmitted hpv at more than 20 million, with approximately 5.5 million new cases every year, making it the most prevalent and rapidly spreading sexually transmitted disease in the country.

Anal Genital Warts symptoms

It is important to note that many individuals infected with HPV do not have outward signs, and may not know they are infected. Results from a study conducted by the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases indicate that as many as 50% of women infected with HPV do not show outward symptoms and are unaware that they are infected. This is a considerable factor in the rapid spread of the virus.

When anal genital warts do appear, they can range in size from very tiny bumps to large cauliflower-shaped growths. Anal warts which occur outside the rectum are called perianal; those which occur inside the rectum are called intra-anal and affect the lower inch or two of the rectum.

While pain is generally not associated with anal genital warts, occasionally minor bleeding will result from anal sex or bowel movements. Left untreated, anal warts may result in bowel obstruction.

Genital anal warts are highly contagious and transmission most often results from direct contact, usually sexual in nature, with an infected individual. It is estimated that two thirds of people having sexual contact with infected individuals will develop genital or anal warts within three months.

While common genital warts that appear on the hands and feet are forms of HPV, they are not the same strain of HPV virus that causes anal warts. Contact with an individual intermittently affected by common warts will not result in venereal genital wart transmission, unless the individual also carries a venereal wart strain of the HPV virus.

Detection and Diagnosis of Anal Warts

Because HPV is not a systemic infection, that is, it exists only in the skin cells; there is no blood test to detect it. Medical personnel will typically identify an anal wart infection by visually inspecting the suspected area, sometimes with a magnifying glass, to verify the presence of warts. Sometimes vinegar is applied to the skin to cause infected tissues to turn white, and render them more easily perceptible.

Anal Wart Treatment

Genital anal warts are the outward symptoms of a viral infection which may persist indefinitely in the tissues around the affected area. Treatments are intended to remove the warts so as to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus to others, as well as to eliminate any physical or psychological discomfort associated with anal warts. Removal of warts, however, is not necessarily a cure. As long as the virus is present, anal warts may recur and require additional treatment.

Various treatments are currently recommended by physicians to remove anal warts. Anal wart treatment s include, but are not limited to, topical chemical solutions, topical anti-viral solutions, immunotherapy, cryotherapy (using liquid nitrogen), surgical removal, and electrosurgery.

Coping with anal warts

Most people are very upset to discover they have contracted a sexually transmitted form of HPV. Gathering as much information about the virus as possible and seeking out support groups can be very helpful in coming to terms with the situation and moving forward to a happy, healthy life.

Protection against anal warts

Abstaining from sex with individuals infected with warts or HPV is the best way to avoid contracting the virus or passing it on to a sexual partner. Obviously this is not always practical advice. Since the infection is not always apparent, and because committed partners may decide the risk of passing HPV is outweighed by the benefits of initiating a sexual relationship, use of a condom or dental dam (female sexual barrier device) is recommended for any and all sexual activity. This precaution does not ensure safety from infection, as the virus may be present in skin surrounding the genitals, and therefore not covered by the barrier.

Note: This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you suspect you have venereal warts or anal warts, consult a physician.

gabriele valenti - About the Author:

Eric Johnson writes about HPV and Warts Treatments and Genital Warts and warts Treatments

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/anal-genital-warts-187754.html

Private Places: All About Genital Warts

Genital warts are very friendly and spread easily - in fact, it's estimated that if you have sexual contact just once with someone who has them, there's a 60 percent chance you'll get them yourself. Because of this, they are the most common sexually-transmitted disease caused by a virus that we know of - but are also relatively easy to treat in most cases. However, preventions is always better than cure...

A Warty Issue

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and can appear on both men and women. More than 30 different types of the nasty buggers can cause warts on our genitals, although there are 100 types of HPV warts in all. Some types of HPV warts show up on our hands and feet - Plantar's warts are the most common example - which most people would find preferable than on the penis or vagina!

In men, genital warts show up on or near the penis, anus and/or scrotum. In women, they appear on the vagina, vulva, cervix and anus. Usually they appear as little growths or tiny bumps that can be slightly raised, flat, reddish or flesh-colored - although occasionally they get quite noticeable and big. One problem is that they often don't appear at all - they can be so small that only a doctor scan see them with a microscope, and can cause no symptoms whatsoever.

Warts are passed on by sexual contact, and if you contract them it may take up to several months, and in some cases years, for them to appear. That means you can easily spread them to other people, as you may have no idea you have them yourself. Sometimes they go away without treatment, sometimes they don't. And they can lie dormant and reappear again - thus causing infection to others.

Why Worry?

You might wonder why we worry about these tiny warts, if they are often virtually invisible and cause no itching, burning, pain or discomfort (although in rare cases they do). The reason is because in women, HPV can cause cervical cancer. They cause problems with the cervix, or neck of the womb, so women who have had sex should have regular cervical smear tests to rule out HPV. In even more rare cases, HPV can also cause cancer of the penis, vulva, vagina and anus, as it causes abnormal cell changes which you may not notice for a long time.

Genital warts can also cause problems during pregnancy. They can get bigger and obstruct the birth canal, or bleed as the baby passes through it. Rarely, a baby can develop warts in the throat as they are being born. The vast majority of babies, however, are not affected, although some doctors prefer to either get rid of the warts if a woman is pregnant (see below) or deliver the baby through a C-section.

It is estimated that about half of all sexually active people are infected with the virus that causes genital warts, although not all of us actually develop the warts themselves. However, the US government has invented a female vaccine that can prevent against some strains of HPV - 6 and 11. That means it is effective only for females who have not come into contact with the virus, meaning girls who have not yet become sexually active. That's why so many girls get the vaccine at age 11 - 12, to protect them in later life. There is currently no vaccine available for men, although it is being investigated at the present time.

Prevention Better Than Cure

Genital warts, also known as venereal warts, can be burned off, cauterized, frozen off or made to disappear with laser therapy or surgery, but as they can lie dormant in the body there is no guarantee that they will not reappear at a later date. The best way to avoid getting them is to have the vaccine early, and to not have unprotected sex (the vaccine does not protect against all strains of HPV, nor does it protect against other STDs. That's what a condom is for, dum-dum).

Using a latex condom EVERY TIME you have vaginal or anal sex is important to protect yourself against a variety of annoying and/or potentially fatal sexually-transmitted diseases and infections, including HPV. But be aware that any type of close genital contact can spread warts, not just intercourse.

If you believe your or your partner may have genital warts, it's important to have a medical professional see you and sort it out. While some of the removal processes are not altogether pleasant, it's vital to get rid of those tiny little menaces. Women should also have regular Pap smear tests, and it's recommended that pre-adolescent girls get the HPV vaccine, although it does not protect against all strains of HPV. People who are HIV-positive

 should also pay attention to warts which can pose a bigger health risk, as well as gay men, who are more at risk of developing penile and anal cancers.

Keep in mind that if you allow genital warts to go untreated, not only will you run the risk of infecting others, but you are also doing yourself more harm. They become more persistent and aggressive the longer they are allowed to grow, and can result in cauliflower-like clusters on the body, which can be painful and unpleasant. So get yourself treated - before they grow bigger! And always use a condom....

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.

Yodle - About the Author:

Sarah Matthews is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dermatologist or more skin care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Private Places: All About Genital Warts

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/private-places-all-about-genital-warts-1141036.html

The Answers To Your Queries Can't Be Found By Looking At Pictures Of Warts Alone

Can you catch HPV warts if you are a virgin? Most people think that the answer to this question is no but they are wrong. If you have HPV warts and you they come in contact with the genitals of your partner, they could also get the infection. Similarly, HPV warts can appear in your mouth or throat if you engage in oral sex with an infected partner.

Will treatment banish HPV Warts for good?  Unfortunately you can not get rid of HPV warts forever. The underlying virus does not go away so your warts may come back even after treatment.

Is it possible to have the HPV Virus without any signs of genital warts? Yes, you could have contracted the HPV Virus and no warts have yet appeared. They could still appear in the future. In females this may be picked up if you have a couple of abnormal smear results.

Are there any home treatments available or do you have to get them on prescription? Treatments can be delivered directly to your home. Personally I would look out for the best known brands and only use homeopathic remedies as all their ingredients are completely natural. At least then I would know I'm not using any unknown chemicals. Wartrol is perhaps the most popular of the home treatments for HPV warts.

I've just been diagnosed with HPV warts, is it worth getting checked for any other sexually transmitted diseases? You could easily have picked up another infection if you have been having unprotected sex.

Please don't be embarrassed to seek help either from a doctor, nurse or STD clinic - you have no idea how many people are in exactly the same position as you right now! Don't hang about, get some treatment as soon as you can. It will definitely make you feel better.

The other very important thing that you have to do is practice safe sex from now on. Think how you felt when you found out you have the infection? You really don't want to pass it on to someone else. It is not true that there is only a slim chance of you passing the infection on. By having unprotected sex there is a 70% likelihood that you will pass HPV warts to your partner - it is just not worth taking the chance.

Ava White - About the Author:

Think you may have HPV warts? Need to see some pictures of warts? http://picturesofwarts.net aims to answer all your questions.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/the-answers-to-your-queries-cant-be-found-by-looking-at-pictures-of-warts-alone-1499638.html

5 Myths and Misconceptions About Genital Warts

Genital warts are one of the most widely spread sexually transmitted diseases, but a lot of people still lack the knowledge regarding the nature of the said condition, how it is spread, and how to prevent or treat it. Clear, reliable, and updated information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts is hard to find. The result of this unfortunate reality is the non-stop circulation of myths and misconceptions about genital warts.

Wrong information may bring about a lot of physical and emotional negative consequences to the sufferer. The person may suffer from extreme anxiety regarding his/her condition, undergo a painful and costly treatment method that otherwise could have been avoided.

Here are the most common myths and misconceptions to make readers understand what HPV and genital warts are.

Myth #1: Only women can be infected with HPV and contract genital warts.

Fact: The probability of getting infected with HPV and having genital warts is more or less the same for both sexes. However, genital warts symptoms seem to manifest more on women since their anatomy is a conducive breeding ground for HPV compared to that of men. The moist and warm environment of a woman's vagina makes it a prime location for the HPV to thrive in and multiply.

Myth #2: I can only get infected with genital warts through unprotected sex.

Fact: There is no doubt that engaging in unprotected sex raises your chances of being infected with HPV. The virus can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Hence, some forms of barrier protection such as condoms won't completely shield you against several STDs since they do not cover the whole genital region. HPV can also be spread through oral sex, manifesting in the form of warts in the throat and mouth areas. In addition, studies have shown that the virus can be passed on through direct contact with fomites, which are contaminated physical objects like bath towels and medical equipment.

Myth #3: The appearance of genital warts is the only thing that indicates their presence.

Fact: HPV, when spread, can remain in an incubation phase that can last from as fast as a couple of weeks to as long as several years. Hence, the symptoms of genital warts will most likely not appear immediately. In fact, a carrier of HPV may forever remain unaware that the virus is still within his/her system. Experts estimate that only approximately 1 percent of all sexually active Americans have visible genital warts.

Myth #4: Genital warts automatically lead to cervical cancer.

Fact: A different strain of HPV causes genital warts. These HPV strains are completely not linked to those that are known to cause cervical cancer, specifically types 45, 31, 18, and 16. Genital warts are caused by low-risk HPV strains, namely 44, 43, 42, 11, and 6.

Myth #5: If I have had genital warts, I will most definitely experience recurrent episodes for the rest of my life.

Fact: There are some cases wherein genital warts recur. However, they do so in different levels of persistence. However, if the immune system becomes compromised through temporary trauma such as stress, surgery, or serious illness, or through the intake of certain drugs, it may not be able to stop the reactivation of HPV so genital warts may resurface.

W. Darren - - About the Author:

For more information, kindly visit Genital Warts Support Team - a health resource dedicated to providing factual information about Genital Warts. Don't miss out the useful topics: "Prevention of Genital Warts", "Are Genital Warts Curable?" and more.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/5-myths-and-misconceptions-about-genital-warts-653845.html

Home Remedies to Never Try

Look, when it comes to hand warts, warts on your elbows, your knees, the soles of your feet, you can go ahead and cry whatever crazy concoction you may have read about on the internet. A few of those home remedies are sort of effective, and most of them don’t work, but you at least don’t stand to hurt yourself in the process of self-medicating your HPV infection.

But… when it comes to genital HPV, we can only recommend, in good conscience, real medical attention. Still, if you insist on getting your HPV treatment advice from the big book of home remedies or some such, we urge you to at least consider the following… and strike them right off the list of possible home remedies…

Foodstuffs

One of the more popular home remedies for common warts is to apply certain things from the kitchen to the infected area. You can tape a piece of garlic to a wart, dip it in vinegar, or soak it in salt water. Surprisingly, some of this stuff kind of actually works. Foods with incredibly high acidic content do, in fact, have what it takes to burn away at warts.

…And that’s exactly why you should never apply these foods to your genitals. Your hands, your feet, they can handle “spicy foods”, but putting garlic on your nether regions is no safer, and no smarter, than rubbing it in your eyes. If you’re looking for home remedies, stay out of the kitchen.

Home Surgery

Most people wince at the very idea of trying to surgically excise their own warts. Some doctors will treat hand warts with a pair of sterilized surgical scissors. It’s quick, relatively painless, and most importantly; performed in a sterile, medical environment.

If your HPV infection is severe enough that you’re even contemplating a solution this dangerous and crazy, then it’s severe enough to go see your physicist. You’re not a surgeon, don’t operate on yourself.

Footcare Products

You can get rid of plantar warts with relative ease with a hot footbath and a corn remover, but the very thought of applying the same treatment to genital warts is enough to make any rational person’s hair stand on end. Yes, it is just as painful and as ineffective as you’d guess.

In martial arts, a lot of movements are designed to keep the feet and hands in the heat of the action, and the head and genitals well outside of the action. This is because your feet and hands are the toughest parts of your body, and your head and genitals are the most vulnerable. You wouldn’t wear shoes in place of underwear, so don’t use a plantar wart removal method on your more sensitive parts.

Conclusion…

If you think what we’re saying here is “Don’t use any home remedies to take care of genital warts”, you’re absolutely correct. Trying to treat genital warts yourself can result in scarring, loss of sensitivity due to nerve damage, or worse. Just don’t do it. If you think you have genital HPV, see a doctor. Genital HPV is not a problem you can solve with a simple home remedy.

Michelle Anderson - About the Author:

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV. We are dedicated to helping you. For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/home-remedies-to-never-try-945245.html

4 Myths and Misconceptions of Genital Warts

The human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes genital warts, is very prevalent. Hundreds of millions of people around the globe develop genital warts every year. According to health experts, one of the main reasons why many people contract the infection is because many people lack clear, concise, and updated information about HPV.

Inadequate information dissemination regarding the signs and symptoms, causes, risks, treatment, complications, and prevention measures on genital warts leads to increased prevalence of the disease.

Unfortunately, inaccurate information about HPV infection makes the condition worse. That is why a clear understanding of genital warts should be promoted. Such campaign should start with tackling the most common myths and misconceptions about genital warts and HPV. Below are some of the examples.

Myth No. 1:

Only women are prone to have HPV infection and develop genital warts

Genital warts are very common around the globe. Any person who is sexually active is likely to develop genital warts. HPV infection chooses no gender or age. Both men and women can have HPV and genital warts. However, pregnant women are more susceptible to have severe symptoms.

Moreover, women infected with HPV are more likely to have visible symptoms of genital warts than infected men. This is primarily because the moist environment of the vulva and the vagina provides a more dynamic venue for the breeding and multiplication of the virus.

Myth No. 2:

A person can only have genital warts if he engages in unprotected sex.

Genital warts are sexually transmitted infections. You can get infected with HPV primarily if you have unprotected sex. However, you can also get genital warts through skin contact.

Even if you did not engage in penetrative sexual intercourse, anal sex, or oral sex, you can still get the infection primarily if direct contact has been made to the genitalia. If you share your sex toys with someone who is infected with HPV, you are also highly at risk for developing the infection.

Myth No. 3:

Condoms can protect you from genital warts

Although condoms can provide you with some form of protection against HPV transmission, there is still a high possibility of developing genital warts. Since genital warts are viral, they can easily spread through direct skin contact. So even if you wear condoms while having sexual intercourse with an HPV infected person, the virus can still be transmitted since the condom does not cover the entire male genitalia.

Myth No. 4:

If there are no visible genital warts, that means you are not infected with HPV

Not everyone who is infected with the HPV develop visible signs and symptoms. In fact, only one percent of the HPV infected population has genital warts. Among the people with genital warts, not all warts appear in the exterior part of the genital and anal areas. Instead, most genital warts develop inside the vulva, the urethra, and the anus.

Also, when HPV has been transmitted, signs and symptoms do not appear automatically. Genital warts may develop only after the incubation phase. This incubation period varies from person to person. Some only take three weeks while others take two years so someone who has the infection may not be aware of it.

W. Darren - - About the Author:

For more information, kindly visit Genital Warts Support Team - a health resource dedicated to providing factual information about Genital Warts Treatment. Don't miss out the useful topics: 1. "What Are Genital Warts?", 2. "Symtoms of Genital Warts" and more.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/4-myths-and-misconceptions-of-genital-warts-809924.html