Kelsea Cross by

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 07:21:49 UTC

Genital Warts are a sexually transmitted infection caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus. HPV infects the outer layer of the skin causing excess skin growth known as genital warts.

Symptoms

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 07:26:18 UTC

Genital Warts are identified by small, flesh-colored that grow upward from the skin. Genital warts cause itching, burning, and/or discomfort of the genitals. They appear in a cauliflower-like shape due to how close together the warts are. Genital Warts can also be accompanied by bleeding during intercourse.

Effects on Newborns

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 14:45:05 UTC

The risk of passing genital warts to a newborn is very low, but can happen. If genital warts are transmitted to a newborn in the womb, this can result in warts throughout the throat and mouth several weeks after birth. These warts will cause breathing difficulties.

Long Term Effects

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 15:01:22 UTC

The most common long-term effect of HPV is regular outbreaks. Genital Warts causes long-term embarrassment, discomfort, and pain. Genital Warts can also lead to cervical cancer as well as cancer of the vulva, anus, penis, mouth, and throat.

Treatment

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 15:15:24 UTC

Genital Warts can be treated with various creams including Imiquimod, Podophyllin, Trichloroacetic acid, and Sinechatechins. Imiquimod boosts the immune system's ability to fight warts. Podophyllin is a plant-based cream that destroys genital wart tissue. Trichloroacetic acid is used to burn off warts and remove internal warts. Sinechatechins is used to treat external warts as well as those in or around the anal canal. This STI can also be treated through surgeries like excision, laser treatment, electrocautery, and freezing with liquid nitrogen.

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 15:17:58 UTC

Specifically, strains HPV6 and HPV11 are the leading cause of cervical cancer in women.

How HPV causes Genital Warts

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 15:23:59 UTC

After being transmitted from an infected individual, HPV attacks the superficial and mucosal layers of the skin. Within the flat epidermal cells, the virus replicates, and it causes the host’s cells to undergo rapid divisions. The host’s cells become in a hyper-proliferative phase and begin form small, harmless protrusions on the skin. These bumpy protrusions are called warts.

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 15:33:58 UTC

Human Papillomavirus enters the skins through areas where the skin is broken, fragile, or extremely moist.

Prevention

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 15:41:30 UTC

Genital Warts can be prevented by use of condoms or dental dams, routine testing, no douching, limitation on sexual partners, and getting the Human Papillomavirus vaccine.

kjcross01 — 2023-07-12 15:45:46 UTC

Warts can be diagnosed with the use of a pelvic exam to check for cervical changes or anal exam using an anoscope to exam the anus.