GeNiTaL WaRtS

Description of virus that causes the disease.

-The virus is started through skin to skin contact who is already infected with HPV
-The virus is a double strand of DNA
-They are sometimes referred to as ano-genital warts.
-There is a family of viruses called HPV which produce all kinds of warts in different parts of our skin.
-There are hundreds of strains of the genital warts virus with only few actually causing the warts.
-The picture below is a Micrograph of the Genital Warts disease:
human_dis.jpg
-The genital warts virus is caused by the human papilloma virus which is sexually transmitted.
-The shape of genital warts is usually cauliflower shaped.

Viral Specificity
-You mostly get genital warts virus through unprotected sex involving the vagina, anus, penis, and the mouth.
-The genital warts virus is non-specific. (It does not spread)
-Genital warts, sometimes called condylomata acuminata, are soft and often occur in clusters.
-The part of body/tissue is affected through sexual intercourse, This happens because of people not taking the right precautions such as condoms etc. So if your partner is affected by the virus, you will most likely be open to getting the virus.
-Can happen internally or externally, but even with the absence of warts the virus may be contagious still.
-present and transmittable.

Symptoms and progression of the disease:

Some of the signs or symptoms of early genital warts include but are not limited to: 1) Burning in the affected area 2) Itching sensations in the affected area 3) Redness 4) Soreness 5) Unexplained moisture or dampness around the affected area.
-Symptoms, they can go unnoticed for quite awhile.
-Usually don't appear two to four weeks after infection
-Incubation perioid is : - Very LONG incubation period of 3 weeks to eight months!
-however there has been cases where it has surfaced a year after!
-The only serious complication is the possibility of cervix cancer.
-cauliflowerd shaped in clusters

genitalwartsguide.jpg
This picture shows where warts are usually found.


Common Methods of Transmission:

- skin to skin contact with warts
-They are sexually transmitted usually through oral, anal, and intercourse.
- You can get warts from using objects (eg.towels) that were used by a person who has warts
- Genital warts are caused by HPV

Treatment and Prevention:

- Detectable warts can be or removed, usually by chemicals, freezing, or laser, but often recur.
- There is a vaccine for females ages 9 -26 years old to prevent HPV infections which cause genital warts
- Even the warts are removed,the virus never goes away
- The virus goes on living in your skin,that's why warts can reappear
- If you are sexually active,have you and your partner tested!
- Wear a condom .
- The best way to prevent it,is to be abstinent

Miscellaneous:

-Theres over 60 kinds of the virus!
- 70% of the adult population will have at least one genital infection in their lifetime
- Some studies have shown that a healthy immune system can prevent warts

Resources accessed:


http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/sexinfections/sti/215.html

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/std-mts/hpv-eng.php