Genitals warts are one of those things that you simply do not speak of in public and likely don’t even reckon about except your doctor brings up the subject. Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which just happens to be closely linked as the cause of many cases of cervical cancer as well as other types of cancer in the genitals. This virus is transmitted sexually so you have to have had preside over sexual contact with someone infected and not everyone shows signs of genital warts.

It is so vital to trade sexual histories with potential partners so as to avoid contracting any sexually transmitted disease (STD) like genital warts. In addition, protective sex with a condom is also dominant in avoiding the HPV virus. But, not everyone knows they have these warts and could inadvertently pass along the infection to you, so you must know the signs of genital warts in case they ever happen to you.

General Signs of Genital Warts

Typically, it could take as long as a month for signs of genital warts to appear after life exposed to HPV, although sometimes it may take much longer. Most genital warts are not painful, but they can produce an itchy sensation, especially when clothing rubs on them. Just like warts on a finger or toe, these genital warts could have a rough texture and cauliflower-like appearance. In addition, some warts have been completely flat while others may be nearly invisible, only detectable by a doctor.

For men, signs of genital warts may occur in various places in the genital area such as the penis, urethra and rectum. In actuality, these warts could be inside the urethra or even underneath the foreskin of the penis. In females, signs of genital warts may appear near the rectum, near the urethra, inside the vagina or even on the lips of the vulva. In both men and women, other signs of genital warts include discolored swelling at the wart sites and even painful intercourse with or without abnormal bleeding.

The invisible warts may cause general itching which you may not attribute to genital warts because they may either look like an innocuous bump or just a small rough patch of skin. Therefore, only a doctor can truly determine whether or not you have the warts by conducting a skin test.

Treatment of Genital Warts

There are a number of both surgical and topical treatments for genital warts and while these won’t really eradicate the virus that causes them, you can find some relief. You and your doctor together can determine the best way of treatment based on the signs of genital warts that you exhibit.

Technorati Tags: detecting herpes, Genital Warts

There is a lot of information that goes into understanding what are genital warts. An overview of what are genital warts provides the simple explanation that they are flesh-colored or gray growths that both men and women can get in the genital and anal region. Genital warts is also the most common sexually transmitted disease as a result of a virus. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV. At first an infection of genital warts is not obvious.

Both men and women can get genital warts at any age. Those between the ages of seventeen and thirty-three are the most common patients with genital warts. They are high contagious and there is a sixty percent risk of getting genital warts with just one sexual contact with someone else who has genital warts. In children genital warts can occur through nonsexual modes such as preside over manual contact. But, the presence of genital warts in children is permanently cause for suspicion of sexual abuse.

What Are Genital Warts Caused By

Genital warts are caused by the a virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV. There are over a hundred different types of this virus that have been identified and over forty of these viruses can infect the genital area. Although ninety percent of genital warts are caused by two types of the HPV virus, number six and eleven. Both of these types are considered low risk, meaning they don’t have a high cancer causing potential. Then there is HPV 16 which is responsible for fifty percent of the cervical cancer cases and types 16, 18, 31 and 45 have accounted for eighty percent of other cancers.

More specifically when considering what are genital warts caused by, they result when the viral particles are able to penetrate the skin or mucosal surfaces through any microscopic abrasions in the genital area which can occur during sexual activity. After the HPV virus invades cells there is a latency period of several months to years. Although most of the time two-thirds of people who had sexual contact with a partner with genital warts developed the warts themselves within three months.

Another aspect of what are genital warts caused by that many are not aware of is the fact that genital warts are associated with the use of birth hegemony pills due to increased sexual contact without barrier protection, multiple sex partners and having sex when an individual is too young.

Technorati Tags: Curing Genital Warts, Genital Warts, Herpes, what causes herpes