Posts Tagged genital warts
5 Ways to Diagnose Genital Warts
Obtaining a test for sexually transmitted disease cannot confirm if you have genital warts. If you believe you have genital warts and you’re wondering how the disease is diagnosed, here are the common ways doctors identify if the symptoms you’re having link to genital warts or not.
- Acetowhitening – The most common process used in identifying genital warts is by direct visual examination. More often than not, genital warts are not visible to the naked eye, so acetowhitening is used. This technique involves the application of 5% vinegar (acetic acid solution) to the affected area for five to ten minutes. The lesions would turn whitish if they are indeed genital warts.
- Colposcopy – Also known as magnification of the area, coloscopy is a painless examination wherein a lighted magnifying scope is used in viewing the lesions. This is commonly used in women when the lesions are within the internal reproductive organs, such as the cervix or vaginal canal.
- Pap smear – In women, doctors recommend annual pap smears because it helps determine if there are potential health problems within the female reproductive organs. With a routine pap smear, evidences of the HPV (the virus causing the genital warts) and abnormal cells on the cervix can be found.
- Biopsy – In rare cases when lesion appears unusual or the warts recur after proper treatment, a biopsy may be necessary. This process involves obtaining a small tissue sample from the cervix or affected area and examining it under a microscope. Tests results would confirm whether you have genital warts or not.
- Special Tests – If the results of the other tests still cannot confirm genital warts, the doctor may test for other conditions, such as pearly penile papules, skin cancer, genital herpes, moles, skin tag, seborrheic keratoses, condyloma lata, bowenoid papulosis and molluscum contagiosum.
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Genital Warts – Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
“I am the Grandmother of all growth, all growing things, all life. I am the grandmother of bacteria and viruses as well as plants and animals, fish and insects. When you throb with life these other lives live with you. When your life force ebbs, they live on you, growing grotesque without the check of your immunity.
“Do you feel proud of your sexuality my child? Your immune system thrives on true pride; and fails when subjected to blame and shame, guilt and mortification. Walk tall; smile often; be flexible, let life fill you, and you will have little to fear from most viruses you meet.”
Tags: cancer, cervical cancer, genital wart, genital warts, human papilloma, human papilloma virus, papilloma virus, signs of hpv, types of hpv, wartsRelated posts
Genital Warts and the Human Papilloma Virus
A virus called human papilloma virus causes genital warts. This highly contagious disease and does not have any cure. It is sexually transmitted and affects the genital areas of both men and women. The disease is more common with women than men. The disease causes flat of lumpy growths in the genital areas including the penis, vagina, anus, cervix, etc. many are unaware of the problem at first because the virus sometimes shows itself after along time. The virus has the capability to stay latent for a long time and then make itself visible.
The picture of genital warts is very unpleasant and disgusting. Anybody suffering from this disease must consult a doctor and get proper medical help. Without looking at the picture of the genital warts, the doctor cannot diagnose the problem. The problem may not be genital warts but some other disease with similar symptoms.
Tags: cancer, cervix cancer, genital wart, genital warts, genital warts picture, genital warts pictures, human papilloma, human papilloma virus, papilloma virus, picture of genital warts, pictures of genital warts, wartsRelated posts
HPV Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by genital Human papilloma virus infection. Genital warts are also known as venereal warts. It is caused by virus called human papilloma virus. This is a family of around 40 HPV viruses that has many strains and types causing several sexually transmitted diseases. These viruses have been identified as a cause of cervix and certain other cancers. HPV viruses have been categorized as low risk or high risk virus. Low risk viruses are warts causing and high risk are cancer causing viruses. HPV-6 and HPV-11 are the most common ones found in low risk category. HPV genital warts causing viruses are transmitted through intimate sexual contact, intercourse and oral or anal sex. HPV virus can remain latent for years just like human immunodeficiency virus hence the infected person might not be even aware that he or she is infected. Genital warts occur in single or clusters as groups of bumps in external genitals and mouth, throat and internally as well. They can occur on vulva, scrotum, penis, vagina, anus, groin, thighs and cervix.
Diagnosis of genital warts is very important and requires complete visual inspection followed by biopsy. There is no HPV test that can help in identifying if the person is infected by this virus. There is a HPV test and pap screening available now in the market only for diagnosis of cervical cancer. Acetic acid or vinegar is used at times by medical experts to diagnose flat warts. Treatment of HPV genital warts includes use of several anti mitotic drugs like podophyllin, 5-flourouracil, TCA, BCA, podofilox and imiquimod. There are several surgical procedures available to get rid of them completely like cryosurgery, electrocautery, normal surgery and carbon dioxide laser therapy. There are formulations of vaccines for females specifically to provide protection against four strains of HPV that cause genital warts and cervical cancers. Pap smear test has been proved to be useful for females. To avoid spread of HPV virus, condoms are a suggested way as they minimize the risk of HPV infection but as they cannot cover the entire infected area they are not fully protected.
Tags: cancer, cervical cancer, genital wart, genital warts, hpv genital warts, hpv test, hpv virus, hpv viruses, human papilloma, human papilloma virus, papilloma virus, wartsRelated posts
