Contents
Information and Pictures on one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases Genital Warts/HPV
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)/ Genital Warts Information
There are more than 100, mostly harmless, types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), including some which:
- cause changes in cells (these types increase the risk of cervical and certain other cancers)
- cause genital warts
- seem to have no harmful effect at all
Some HPVs cause common skin warts such as:
- butcher’s warts
- common hand warts
- juvenile warts
- plantar warts on the feet
These types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) do not cause genital warts.
About 30 types of Human Papilloma Virus are spread through sexual contact and can infect the genital area:
- anus
- cervix
- penis
- rectum
- scrotum
- vagina
- vulva
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a viral infection of the skin and is sometimes also called
- anogenital warts
- condylomata acuminata
- genital warts
- venereal warts
It causes growths of skin-colored, cauliflower-like masses of various sizes and shapes.
It is thought there are more cases of genital Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection than any other STD in the United States, infecting from 3-28% of the population, with up to 5 million new cases reported every year.
Genital Warts Symptoms
Human papilloma Virus (HPV) lives in skin cells and may be confined to an early isolated outbreak or may be located internally in the:
- rectum
- throat
- urethra
- vagina
Symptoms that may occur several weeks to months after being exposed to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) include:
- itching or burning around the sex organs
- painless growths in either sex usually on damp or moist surfaces of the body beginning as tiny, soft pink or red spots
- spots develop into small, white/yellow/gray bumpy warts on the sex organs and anus
- warts can grow quickly into irregularly shaped cauliflower-like masses
HPV Symptoms in women
The most common places women will find symptoms appearing include:
- on the cervix
- on the opening (cervix) to the womb (uterus)
- on the outside and inside of the vagina
- on the vulva
Most women recover from HPV infections with no health problems at all and many women will develop a natural immunity against different types of HPVs.
It is still not known why some women develop further complications like:
- long-term HPV infection
- pre-cancerous abnormal cell changes
- cervical cancer
HPV Symptoms In men
Genital warts symptoms are less common in men, however, warts can occur on the:
- scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles)
- tip or shaft of the penis
Anal sex can cause HPV warts:
- on, in or around the anus and rectum
Oral sex can cause warts and symptom in the:
- mouth
- throat
Oral HPV Symptoms can include:
- bleeding
- difficulty in swallowing (if in the mouth or throat)
- difficulty in urination (if in the urethra, penis or vagina)
- localized discomfort and pain
You should see a health professional immediately if any of the following occurs:
- bleeding or skin changes around the genitals
- contact with an infected person
- unusual growths or bumps
Note: The longer HPV warts are allowed to grow, the more persistent they become and untreated genital warts can eventually spread, grow, and multiply into large clusters causing health complications. Some people who are infected with HPV do not develop the warts for many years.
Genital Warts HPV Transmission
The rate of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection / transmission is increasing due to:
- changes in sexual behavior
- more young people having sex at an earlier age
- an increase in multiple sex partners among sexually active people
- genital warts are very contagious and about two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with an infected partner will usually develop warts within three months of contact
Both men and women are equally susceptible to infection and it occurs most frequently in persons aged 15-40.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is transmitted (spread)
- by people who are infected but who have no symptoms and unknowingly transmit HPV to others
- by touching the genitals of someone during vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected partner
- to a baby during childbirth if the mother has the virus
Very rarely HPV infections occur from:
- children can get it while being bathed or changed
- genital warts develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person
- people can be born with the infection
Warts
- can disappear on their own
- stay unchanged
- grow and spread
- can return, sometimes after several months because the virus lies dormant in skin cells
- can require multiple treatments
How Genital Warts are Diagnosed
Culture or Biopsy
A culture or biopsy of the abnormal tissue is taken and sent to the laboratory for microscopic analysis, where a health professional may recognize the classic-shape of the growths
Identification of some invisible warts can be carried out by applying vinegar (acetic acid) to suspected areas of genital tissue, in which the solution causes infected areas to whiten making them more visible.
Pap Smears
In a Pap Smear cells scraped from the cervix are examined under a microscope to determine:
- if there are cancerous cells
- if there is a cervical HPV infection
- infections and inflammations of the cervix
- thinning of the cervical tissue from lack of estrogen
If the Pap smear is abnormal there may be an HPV infection and a medical examination is needed to look for and treat any cervical problems. Unless you have genital warts or have had abnormal Pap test results, you won’t be able to tell you have the virus. If cancer is found your health professional will put you in touch with a gynecological oncologist.
Colposcopy
A procedure called colposcopy can be performed using a magnifying instrument to take a closer look at cervical and vaginal tissue
Hybrid Capture II®
Hybrid Capture II® is a new type of test used to find very small amounts of HPV in fluid or tissue samples
Genital Warts HPV Treatment
At this point in time there is no permanent cure for Human Papilloma Virus and it often comes back due to infection of nearby skin. Depending on factors such as the size and location of the genital warts several methods of treatment are available.
Your health professional will advise you of all your options and depending on the diagnosis you may need to:
- have a colposcopy and biopsy
- repeat the pap smear test
- treat the cervix with antibiotic cream
Moderate to severe pre-cancerous growths require colposcopy and biopsy and destruction of infected cells may be carried out using any of the following procedures:
HPV / Genital Wart Treatment types consists of:
- Cryotherapy
- Electrocautery
- Laser surgery
- Topical Solutions
Cryotherapy
- cervical or intravaginal warts are usually treated with freezing
- freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen
Electrocautery Wart Removal
- a 0.5 percent podofilox solution applied to the affected area but not washed off
- burning the growths off with a potent acid, such as trichloracetic acid, applied undiluted to the infected area and washed off several hours later
- use of a a blistering agent, such as 20% podophyllin solution (made from rainforest beetles) applied to the affected area and washed off later
Laser surgery Wart Removal
- destruction of the growths with laser surgery
- surgically removing the infected area
Immune response modifiers
A new class of drugs called immune response modifiers are being used to fight off the genital warts
- A 5 percent 5-fluorouracil cream
- Aldara (Imiquimod) Cream is available by doctor’s prescription only but can be applied to the affected area 3 times a week
Note
Aldara is for the treatment of visible warts on the :
- genitals
- peri-anal area
and not for treatment of:
- cervical warts
- intravaginal warts
Topical Solution for Wart Removal
There are several main topical solution currently used in the treatment of external genital warts and peri-anal warts.
Terrasil Wart Treatment
Terrasil is an FDA-registered wart removal ointment that’s packed with the nourishing ingredients your skin needs for relief. We use high-quality and powerful ingredients that are natural, organic and homeopathic.
- Painless removal of common and plantar warts
- Supports healing and clears skin
- Soothes irritation
- FDA-registered remedy
- Backed by 10 years of formulation research
- Free of unnecessary chemicals, artificial scents, parabens and potentially harmful preservatives
- 90-day, risk-free guarantee
- Made in the USA
Condylox is the first ever FDA approved gel that treats genital warts. The active ingredients in Condylox get right to the problem and start treating genital warts immediately. Condylox Gel 0.5% or Solution 0.5% is indicated for the topical treatment of ano-genital warts (external genital warts and peri-anal warts).
Interferon
The antiviral drug alpha interferon injected directly into the warts has been used to treat warts that have returned after removal using other traditional methods.
Studies show that:
- a second course of injections of the drug was needed by some patients
- the drug does not cure the disease
- the drug does not reduce the rate of recurrence
- the drug eliminated the warts in about half the patients
- the drug is expensive
All three procedures can be done in your health professional’s clinic with local anesthetic.
Caution
If you are pregnant, you should not use, They maybe be absorbed by the skin and may cause birth defects.:
- 5-fluorouracil cream
- podofilox
- podophyllin
Preventing HPV Infection and Transmission
The best way of preventing the transmission of HPV / Genital wart is abstinence, this is impossible for most people and not any option. The next best choice is to avoid any contact with visible symptoms and correct diagnosis and treatment is required.
* if you feel you have come in contact with the virus the best thing you can do is flush area thoroughly with running water, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
People who have many sexual partners put themselves at higher risk of infection from genital warts and all STD’s.
Reduce the risk of HPV Transmission by:
1. Practising correct Safe Sex practises
2. Knowing your partners sexually history
3. Taking a STD Test if you notice any signs or symptoms
4. Women having regular pap smear tests to look for cervical problems
A woman can lower her risk of cervical cancer by:
- avoiding cigarette smoking
- avoiding the use of oral contraceptives
- practising abstinence
- practising sex play that does not include vaginal intercourse
- undergoing regular Pap tests
- using condoms
Dietary Recommendations to help
Include in the diet foods high in:
- beta-carotene
- folic acid
Yellow, red and orange fruits and vegetables:
- carrots
- corn
- mangoes
- squash
- tomatoes
Dark-green, leafy vegetables:
- cabbage
- collard greens
- lettuce
- spinach
and
- beans
- peanuts
- whole grains
It is important to consider that:
- early treatment of pre-cancerous growths can prevent cancer from developing
- Follow-up examinations are necessary if an abnormal condition is found
- most abnormalities that are detected are not cancerous
Complications:
- sometimes the virus stays in the body even after the warts go away, so there is the possibility that the warts can recur
- cancer of the penis (a rare cancer)
- cervical dysplasia, a precancerous type of abnormal cell growth on the female cervix
- the presence of other STDs increases the risk of developing genital cancers
Infection of a woman’s cervix with certain strains of this virus can lead to:
- anal cancer
- cervical cancer
- vulva cancer
Cervical infection with oncogenic types of HPV is associated with more than 80% of cases of invasive cervical cancer.
Human Papilloma Virus HPV)/Genital Warts during Pregnancy and Childbirth
A number of problems may arise during pregnancy from genital warts.
For the mother
- If the warts are in the vagina, they can cause the vagina to become less elastic and cause obstruction during delivery
- in rare cases the warts can grow so large they block the birth canal
- the warts can bleed
- the warts can get larger during pregnancy making it difficult to urinate
For the baby
- laryngeal papillomatosis (very rarely infants born to women with genital warts develop warts in their throats), a potentially life-threatening condition
Treatment
- frequent laser surgery to prevent obstruction of the breathing passages
- the use of interferon therapy in combination with laser surgery may slow the course of the disease
Research
Current work is being carried out on two types of vaccines:
- one to prevent infection or disease (warts or pre-cancerous tissue changes)
- one to treat cervical cancers
For more information, watch this video:
