A recent article in InteliHealth reported that up to 6 percent of 5,734 young women had signs of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) we rarely consider. That STD is genital warts. It is caused by a virus called Human Papilloma virus. There are over 70 different strains of this virus that can infect humans. Once a person is infected by a Human Papilloma Virus the infection is lifelong. Even if you no longer have any visible warts the virus stays with you.
We rarely think of genital warts as important because we don't consider these cauliflower-like skin lesions to be a long-term problem. If the warts get to be too big we can just have them removed. Unfortunately, the more dangerous Human Papilloma virus strains do not produce any warts in humans. In fact, women infected by these Human Papilloma virus strains can develop cervical cancer. Over 90 percent of all cervical cancers are due to this viral infection. The majority of women with cervical cancer do not even remember having a genital wart.
This is one reason why yearly Pap smears are a must for sexually active women. Cervical cancer develops very very slowly and can be effectively treated if caught early enough. Men infected with this virus may also develop cancer of their genitalia. People with visible genital warts are the most likely to spread this viral infection to their sexual partners. People with no visible genital warts may still give the infection to their sexual partners.
The most effective means of preventing infection by Human Papilloma virus is to not have sexual interactions. The next best means of avoiding this infection is to have sexual relations with one person who is also only having sexual relations with you. If a person chooses to have multiple sexual partners the male should always use a condom. The proper use of a condom has been shown to lower the chances a person will acquire most STDs. (Please note that genital warts can occur in areas not covered by a condom and even with proper and consistant condom use a person could acquire this viral infection.)
Knowledge is Power. For more Power go to the following web sites:
Group
Health Cooperative's information on Human Papilloma virus.
New
York State Health Department's information on genital (venereal)
warts.
Take Care and Think Microbiologically!
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