Genital Warts Information - Symptoms And Treatment

Genital warts, sometimes called venereal warts. A common and highly contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD), genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The wart (papilloma) consists of fibrous tissue overgrowth from the dermis and thickened epithelial coverings. These tiny benign growths usually appear in the genital and anal areas. Also known as venereal warts. HPV, or condylomata acuminata. these growths are one of the most common STDs in the United States. Although generally benign. genital warts may lead to an increased risk of anogenital cancer. (Studies show an association between HPV types 11, 16, and 18 and cervical dysplasia and cancer.)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the disease affects more women than men. In women. the highest incidence is found in those between the ages of 15 and 25. In addition. Blacks have a rate of infection 1½ times higher than Whites.

What causes Genital Warts?

Genital warts result from infection with one of the more than 30 known strains of HPV. Transmitted by sexual contact. HPV incubates from 1 to 6 months (the average is 2 months) before warts erupt.

Signs and symptoms of Genital Warts

The patient's health history may include unprotected sexual contact with a partner with a known infection. a new partner. or many partners. Genital warts are usually firm. rough. and flesh-colored bumps. In women. these warts may be found in the vulvar region. inside of the vagina, on the cervix. or on and around the anus. In men, they may be found on the penile shaft or tip. scrotum, or urethra or around the anus. In both sexes, papillomas spread to the perineum and the perianal area. On inspection. you may find warts that begin as tiny red or pink swellings. These warts may grow as large as 4" (10 cm) and may become pedunculated. Multiple swellings have a cauliflower-like appearance. Most patients report no symptoms; a few complain of itching, pain, mild irritation, burning, foul smell, pain with intercourse, increased vaginal discharge or bleeding.

During pregnancy, genital warts in the vaginal and cervical walls may grow so large that they impede vaginal delivery. Other complications include possible genital tract dysplasia or cancer. Although rare, the mother may infect the child either during gestation or during delivery. Some neonates may develop laryngeal papillomatosis (throat warts), which may be fatal if the warts block the neonate's airways.

Diagnosis information

Genital warts on the skin may be seen and generally recognized. Tests such as dark-field microscopy of wart-cell scrapings. which shows marked epidermal cell vascularization. may confirm the diagnosis. This differentiates genital warts from condylomata lata associated with second-stage syphilis. Another test involves applying 5% acetic acid (white vinegar) to the warts. which will turn white if they're papillomas.

Treatment of Genital Warts

Frequently used therapies include cryosurgery. application of caustic agents, electrocautery. surgical excision, and laser ablation. Topical antimetabolites. such as S-fluorouracil and podophyllin resin, have also been used. Topical interferon has been shown effective. Vacdue preparations show promise in preventing papillomavirus.

Warts that grow larger than 1" (2.5 cm) are usually removed by carbon dioxide laser, cryosurgery, electrocautery or fluorouracil cream debridement. Conventional surgery may be recommended to remove perianal warts.

Genital warts may be treated and removed successfully; however, some patients may have a recurrence. If warts reappear, the patient will have to undergo retreatment. If she continues to have recurrences despite retreatment, immune therapy (excising the warts and using them to prepare a vaccine to stimulate antibodies in the body) or interferon therapy (injections of protein to boost the body's immune response and prevent the virus from multiplying) may be prescribed. A vacdue is currently under investigation for papillomavirus in healthy individuals.

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Home remedies to cure Genital Warts

• Take the garlic juice and put it on the wart or warts. Do this for about 2 times a day for a week.
• Vitamin E And Clove are the best home remedy for genital wart.
• Aloe has been used for hundreds of years as a wart treatment. Applied externally in cream form or directly from aloe plant, aloe eases discomfort and helps in removal of genital wart.
• Every night before going to bed. Soak a Cotton ball in Apple Cider Vinegar and put it directly on the wart and cover with a bandaid, the next morning, remove the bandaid and cotton ball. Do this every night for about a week.
• Cut raw potatoes and rub juices on warts three times a day for about two weeks or until wart is gone.
• Apply the milkweed juice to the wart for home remedy removal wart treatment.
• Cut onion in half scoop out the middle and place in ½ teaspoon of salt. After several hours the salt will draw the onions juice which will be applied to the wart several times a day for home remedy removal wart treatment.

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Special considerations or prevention

Use standard precautions when examining the patient, collecting a specimen, or performing associated procedures.

• Provide a non threatening, nonjudgmental atmosphere that encourages the patient to verbalize her feelings about perceived changes in sexual identity and behavior.
• Advise the patient to inform her sexual partners about the risk of genital warts and their need for evaluation.
• Urge the patient to be tested for human immunodeficiency virus infection and other STDs.
• Emphasize that genital warts can recur and that the virus can mutate, causing infection with warts of a different strain.
• Remind the patient to report for weekly treatments until all warts are removed. Instruct her to schedule a checkup 3 months after all warts are gone.
• Condoms offer some protection against genital warts, but they can't completely prevent them because the warts can be outside of the area protected by the condom. Spermicidal foams, creams, and jellies have not been proven to protect against HPV and genital warts.