Genital warts are one of the diseases most common sexual transmission. It is spread very quickly to the direct contact with the skin of an infected person virus human papillomavirus, which is the virus that causes. They are characterized by bumps that can vary in size and shape depending on the patient but usually do not cause pain, although itching or itching is possible. Early medical diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid further complications and not put the sexual health of others at risk. At FastlyHealwe, explain the forms of infection, symptoms, and treatment of genital warts.
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Causes of genital warts
The genital warts are caused by the so-called virus human papillomavirus (HPV), and there are over 100 different types, but they often cause infections are types 6 and 11. Other types of HPV may lead to warts in other parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, or fingers.
HPV is a virus that spreads quickly, and in the case of genital warts, it can be passed from one infected person to another through skin-to-skin contact, usually during sex. For this reason, it is so important to detect them as soon as possible to take the necessary measures and start the appropriate treatment in each case.
Although everyone can develop them, there are some instances in which you are more prone to suffer from genital warts and their spread more quickly. These are the following:
- Have sex with different people without using a condom.
- You are being sexually active at a young age.
- We have a viral infection, such as herpes, and have stress simultaneously.
- We have a weakened immune system due to HIV / AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or consequently taking certain medications.
- Be pregnant.
Ways of contagion of genital warts and prevention measures
The standard form of infection for genital warts is direct contact with the skin of a person infected with HPV. Generally, they tend to spread during sexual intercourse, whether vaginal, anal, or oral. It is essential to remember that transmission can occur even when warts are not visible since it is an infection long. Likely, they are not observed until six weeks to 6 months after infection, and there are even cases in which they can take years to develop.
In this way, the only sure way to prevent genital warts is not to have sexual intercourse, so it will be essential to use the proper protection during sex by using a condom at all times. It should be noted that this method is not as effective as with other infections since it does not cover the entire affected area. Still, it does significantly reduce the chances of contracting it. In addition, it is also essential to use oral latex barriers or plastic wrap to avoid contagion during oral sex.
Other prevention measures that should be taken into account, according to specialists, according to the following:
- Maintain good intimate hygiene before and after having sex.
- Perform the appropriate gynecological tests to rule out health problems and the suffering of sexually transmitted diseases. Women should have a Pap smear at least a year after having sexual intercourse; Likewise, they should do it if they are over 21 years old, even if they are not sexually active.
- Make sure the partner is in good sexual health and infection-free.
- Avoid high-risk sexual practices.
Symptoms of genital warts
Genital warts can be defined as lumps or masses in the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, which are soft to the touch, color, and skin itself that can occur in different ways in each patient. Thus, we can say that they can look like:
- They are elevated or flat.
- Big or small.
- Only the appearance of one wart or many in the same area forms a kind of cluster.
These skin lesions usually manifest in specific areas of the female and male body, as detailed below:
- Women: inside the vagina or anus, the cervix on the skin around the vagina or anus.
- Men: on the penis, scrotum, inside or around the anus, groin, or thighs.
Also, other of the symptoms of genital warts that patients may experience are the following:
- Genital itching or itching.
- More abundant vaginal discharge.
- Increased humidity in the genital area.
- Vaginal bleeding if you have sexual intercourse can appear during and after intercourse.
When these symptoms manifest or have had sexual relations with a person infected with HPV, it is essential to see a doctor immediately to undergo the appropriate tests and learn about the necessary treatment.
Image: urologossevilla.es
Treatment for genital warts
The human papillomavirus has no cure, but it is possible to cure and eliminate genital warts; sometimes, the body itself is responsible for fighting it, and skin lesions disappear on their own. However, the treatment of genital warts should be in the hands of a specialist and may consist of the following:
- Local application of topical medications directly in the area where genital warts are found. The most common are Podofilox and Imiquimod, and the patient can apply them at home, but they should always be prescribed by the doctor and follow the instructions for use.
- Trichloroacetic acid application once a week until the lesions are eliminated. A specialist in medical consultation can only administer this.
In addition to the above treatments, other medical procedures can be used for genital warts:
- Cryotherapy: the warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen.
- Laser: warts are destroyed by using a beam of intense light.
- Electrocautery: warts are burned with a small probe with an electrical current.
- Surgery: damaged tissue is removed using a sharp instrument.
It is essential to monitor the patient and return to a medical consultation after performing the treatment since, in many cases, genital warts reappear.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Genital warts: contagion, symptoms, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of the Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.