Genital warts are infections that are considered as a telltale sign that a person can have by acquiring sexually transmitted infection (STI). According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), there are approximately 20 million individuals only in the United States who are suffering from genital warts and the numbers constantly increase yearly. In fact, these infections can affect both genders and typically occur on the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus of women. In men, the condition usually appears most often on the penis and scrotum.
Genital warts are also known as condylomata acuminate and these infections are transmitted by having sexual intercourse. Genital warts often appear in groups even though it is not odd for a stray wart to occur in the sufferer’s body appear as flesh-colored round or flat bumps. These infections are normally caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can also related to cervical cancer in women.
According to researches, there is currently no vaccine or cure for this condition, but there are ways to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes genital warts. The virus invades tissue and mucus glands of the infected individuals that can lead to infection and abnormalities. The symptoms that the condition causes usually depend on the virus strain the sufferer may get. At present, there is no cure for genital warts; however, there are treatment options and prevention techniques that can be used to reduce the chances of getting the infections.
A treatment option for genital warts will normally depend on the severity of the condition and the area they occur. An effective treatment is known as liquid nitrogen; it is used to eliminate the infections especially when medicated creams alone do not effectively remove the genital warts infections. It is best to discuss your treatment options with a health care provider instead of determining and using a treatment method on your own. Keep in mind that wart medications are developed for use on other infected areas of the body are not intended for use only on the infected person’s genitals.
Is It Possible To Prevent The Virus?
Health care providers say that individuals can completely prevent HPV and the genital warts by practicing abstinence. In addition, there is also a relatively new vaccine known as Gardasil that can provide protection for women against the virus that causes HPV and the genital warts. The treatment can be given to women between the ages of 9 and 26. It can be administered in three doses and helps individuals against HPV strains.
Symptoms of these infections can be unnoticed and most sufferers cannot see any visible sign of genital warts. Keep in mind that genital warts do not need to be visible to transmit the virus because infected individuals can transmit them to their sexual partners. In addition, there is no condom available on the market that can protect individuals against genital warts. Of course, we all know that condoms are important to prevent the spread of HIV and other viruses that can lead to sexually transmitted diseases.