Mild genital warts

Mild genital warts - Genital warts, a common STD, are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). Genital warts are abnormal growths in the genital and anal areas and they come in various forms and sizes. They may be flat or a little raised, they may be in clusters or spread, they may be pinkish, brownish or grayish. Mild genital warts are those that do not cause any problem to the person and may go unnoticed. These warts are not harmful and just appear and then disappear after sometime. They do not pain, itch or bleed unless irritated to the extreme. Most warts don't involve risk but some may lead to cervical cancer in women and penis cancer in men.

HPV and genital warts are usually spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has this infection. Those who are more likely to get the disease are: People who do not use condoms while they have sex or comes in contact with the genitals; people who have multiple sex partners; people who became sexually active before the age of 18, people who have defective or weak immune system: those who are infected with HIV.

The appearance of genital warts may differ according to the immune system of the person. It may appear within several weeks after sexual relations with an infected person; or they may take months to appear; or they may never appear. This makes it difficult to find out when and where the virus was contracted. Warts sometimes can be very difficult to see and it gets confused with simple bumps and pimples. In such cases a proper diagnosis is recommended. A Pap smear is a test designed to detect precancerous cervical changes. But this does not detect HPV and therefore an abnormal Pap smear is done to confirm that the changes or bumps in the genitals are caused by HPV. Women with abnormal Pap smears should be examined further for cervical problems (usually through a colposcope) or followed closely by a doctor. There are several new tests that can detect the genetic material of HPV (Vira-pap). There is a connection between HPV infection and cancer in both men and women. Mild genital warts however are not the symptoms for cancer.

Mild genital warts are easier to treat and remove than the other warts. They may be removed by using the methods of cryotherapy, electrodessication, laser therapy, surgical excision, etc. topical medicines are effective and can remove the mild genital warts if applied on regularly. Podofilox, Trichloracetic acid (TCA), Aldara cream, etc are examples.