Genital Warts/Herpes-the Condition, the Causes, the Complications and the Treatment

The Mayo Clinic defines the condition of genital warts or herpes as one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases. It has been estimated that nearly 50% of all sexually active people would have at some time or the other been infected by the virus that causes genital warts.

Genital warts normally affect the moist tissues of the venereal area and appear as small flesh colored bumps or in some cases may even have a cauliflower like appearance. At times, the warts are barely visible and difficult to notice because of their smaller size.

Warts which appear on the genital area or other parts of the body are caused by the human papillomavirus which is commonly known as HPV. Some strains of venereal HPV cause genital warts, while others can even leave an individual with cancer. It has been mentioned that vaccines can help against certain strains of genital HPV.

Symptoms That Are Noticeable in Such Conditions

Symptoms in men and women differ by a small margin while the overall condition remains the same. Men may develop genital warts on the tip of the penis, the scrotum or the anus while women may develop warts on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the cervix and the area between the external genitals and the anus.

Common signs and symptoms of genital warts can include;

     Small, grey and flesh colored swellings in the genital area.

      

     Several warts in a single area giving them a cauliflower like appearance

      

     Itching and discomfort in the genital areas

      

     Incidence of bleeding during intercourse

It has often been reported that genital warts at times can be small enough to remain invisible to the naked eye, but at times they can multiply into clusters that look alarmingly large.

What Are the Causes for Genital Warts?

It has been defined that the human papillomavirus causes genital warts. Around 40 different strains of the HPV virus have been identified as the reason for the venereal area to become affected. The HPV virus is spread via sexual contact and therefore, warts have been classified as a sexually transmitted disease. In most cases, the immune system of the body kills genital HPV leaving an individual unaware about the problem. However, cases have been noted regularly to prove that infections can develop easily.

According to the Mayo Clinic, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that around 50% of all sexually active people will at some time or the other have contacted the HPV virus. There are some factors, which increase the risk of individuals contacting this infection. They have been defined in the following manner;

ü  Becoming active sexually at a young age

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ü  Having sex with multiple partners without protection

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ü  Having sex with partners without ascertaining their sexual history

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ü  Come into contact with other infections that are sexually transmitted.

Complications Which Have Been Documented

Cervical cancer and genital HPV infections are closely associated with some types of HPV causing cancer to the vulva, the anus and the penis. While a mention has been made that the papillomavirus does not always lead to cancer women are advised to undergo regular pap tests to ascertain they have been exposed to the risk of venereal warts.

Genital warts are also known to cause difficulties among pregnant women because they enlarge and make it difficult for women with such conditions to urinate. Warts present on the vaginal walls can reduce their ability of the tissues around them to stretch during childbirth. Children born to mothers with genital warts may also develop warts in their throats, which may require surgical attention.

Diagnosis and Tests Which Are Required

It is advised that individuals affected by this condition seek advice from a medical practitioner and undergo the tests required, which can help diagnose genital warts in a proper way. Men and women may perhaps shy away from such activity because of the embarrassment which is associated with the condition. This is a mistake which people should not be looking forward to committing as it could lead to trouble, which can get more complicated with time. Medical practitioners will be looking forward to conducting a few tests, which will help them ascertain the severity of the condition before they provide any treatments. The types of tests that are conducted by medical practitioners are as follows;

PAP tests

In order to detect vaginal and cervical changes women are required to undergo regular pap tests, which will help a practitioner to ascertain whether they could be prone to cervical cancer. This is a possible complication which can arise out of HPV infections. In this case, doctors may apply a solution of acetic acid to whiten any warts, which may be present in the genital area. The passage between the vagina and the uterus will be examined thoroughly to look for any abnormalities, which may have arisen.

HPV Tests

Women who are in the age bracket of 30 and above may be asked to undergo HPV tests to understand whether they have been infected by some of the strains of the human papillomavirus which can cause cancer. A sample of the cervical cells taken during a Pap test can help physicians determine whether any cancer-causing strains are present in the body of an infected person.

Treatments Available for Genital Warts

If over 50% of sexually active people carry the human papillomavirus, it is certain that they would be a number of treatments recommended for this condition as well. Finding treatments, which are being promoted by major pharmaceutical companies, is not difficult and people with such infections can easily come across the type of treatment they want for their condition. While some medications like imiquimod, podophyllin and podofilox and trichloroacetic acid are recommended by medical practitioners, there are other treatments, which are equally capable of combating the infection of genital warts. People infected are therefore advised to conduct proper research before they go ahead and choose any mode of treatment for their condition.

Surgery is an option which is also recommended for patients who have large warts in the genital area. Pregnant women could be exposing their unborn child to the condition which may require surgery. Under the circumstances, it is always recommended that proper care be exercised at all times to avoid the infection altogether.

Treating Genital Warts the Right Way

The question in the mind of every individual infected by the HPV virus will relate to whether the infection can be effectively treated and if so what are the methods. It is quite common to notice a number of advertisements, which promote products that claim to have the ability to treat HPV infections. Unfortunately, the human papillomavirus is known to remain within the body with a tendency to bounce back without warning. Under the circumstances individuals affected by this infection will have to look at some factors, which will provide them permanent relief from this issue. What are the factors that people should consider when looking out for treatments?

ü  The product chosen must have been clinically tested and proven to be effective.

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ü  Relief provided by the product must be instant without scope for delays.

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ü  It must be a recommended choice of doctors.

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ü  Ingredients used by the manufacturers must have been approved by the FDA.

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ü  Most importantly the product must also be convenient to use.

It will not be a difficult task for people with the infection of genital herpes to find creams and ointments, which claim to be effective against the infection. Unfortunately, the only contain an anti-viral ingredient which may not be really effective against the infection. Under the circumstances, they will be left with the virus while the treatment chosen will only act superficially.

What then should be the choice of people who have the human papillomavirus within their body? It is important for people to understand that they must choose a product which contains several ingredients, which can fight the HPV virus simultaneously. The product chosen must contain several of the ingredients which will make it one of the most powerful agents against the fight with the HPV virus.

Important Ingredients That Can Assist People Who Are Infected

ü  Manuka oil

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ü  Birch oil

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ü  Green tea Catechins

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ü  L-Lysine with the powerful antioxidant and anti-viral properties of oxygen

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ü  Ozone

Antibiotics and drugs which are available in the market as a treatment for genital herpes or warts are only known to kill the bacteria while ingredients which have the anti-viral properties of oxygen will ensure that only harmful bacteria are killed. This ensures that the anti-viral properties of oxygen allow bacteria that are beneficial to breed thereby ensuring better health to the individual.

The ozone present in the product chosen as a treatment against genital warts or herpes ensures that diseased or dying cells are killed with a disruption in their cell membranes.

Manuka oil is known as an active ingredient against a number of microorganisms.

Green tea Catechins are known to increase the levels of antioxidants in the body. They contain polyphenolic substances, which appear to be the most potent in green tea Catechins.

People who are infected by the HPV virus may feel that it would be impossible for them to find a treatment which contains all the above ingredients. Fortunately, things are different in this regard because there is a product available in the market which not only contains the ingredients mentioned throughout this discussion but is also safe and easy to use.

Healthcare providers will warn people against using any treatment other than the one provided by them under the guise of it may not be safe enough. They will not be wrong in assuming that products which are being sold are not of the highest standards and could very well fall short of meeting the expectations of patients. The fear of reactions being developed by individuals also stops healthcare providers from talking about such products. Unfortunately, it must be mentioned that they are wrong and now there is a product available which can treat individuals with the HPV virus effectively.

The kind of treatment which people choose to use against genital herpes or warts depends wholly upon their choice. However, it is advised that people conduct research to understand the varieties of treatments that are available and the kind of reviews the products have. They will soon get information about how they can find the one product which can help them overcome this infection without any difficulty. Not only will they be able to overcome the HPV virus but will also ensure that no opportunities for future outbreaks are left behind by the right product which is chosen.