Live Life Team
An infection of skin of the genital area and anal area and the mucous membrane of the vagina, rectum and cervix are known as genital warts. This is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). There are different types of HPV and are more than 100 types. They affect different parts of the body. Most of the genital warts are caused by type6 and type 11 virus. This infection spreads by skin to skin contact and is generally transmitted by vaginal and anal sex and by sharing sex toys. The virus generally passes when warts are present but in some cases they are passed down after the disappearance of the warts. In rare cases warts develop around the mouth due to oral sex .A pregnant woman may also pass down the virus to her baby if she has genital warts at that time but this happens in very rare cases. The warts are not visible in most cases and disappear on their own. The warts may appear after 2 weeks or several months after a person is infected by the virus. Small fleshy growths or bumps or skin changes appear around the genital or anal area after the infection.
Diagnosing genital warts
A person may have genital warts even if there are no symptoms. One should go for check up in the following cases
-A person has symptoms of genital warts
-A person had unprotected sex with a new partner
-A sexual partner tells that he or she has a sexually transmitted infection
-A woman is pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
-A person has another sexually transmitted infection
Genital warts can be easily diagnosed by looking at them. Sometimes an internal examination is needed to see the presence of warts in vagina or anus. A small sample of the wart may be taken for further examination. Local anaesthesia may be given depending on the area that is being examined.
Treatment
Treatment is provided to the persons who have visible warts. It depends on the number of warts, how they look and the place they are located. The treatment reduces the amount of virus by removing the visible warts. This helps the immune system of body to fight the virus. The effectiveness of treatment depends on the size and type of warts, the treatment that is used and the immunity system of the body. Some people are not recommended to take the treatment. There are different ways to remove visible warts and these include the following
-Putting cream or a liquid on to the warts
-Laser treatment, using local anaesthetic.
-Surgery, using local anaesthetic
-Electrocautery
-Cryotherapy
Sometimes more than one treatment is used at the same time. These treatments are not painful but sometimes may cause discomfort. They may cause soreness or irritation .A person can take painkillers to get relief. If left untreated the warts may grow larger in size and number or may disappear with time. But treatment will reduce the risk of passing the warts to the other person.
