Venereal Warts - Commonly Asked Qquestions About
What are
the signs that one has contracted HPV?
Warts are
clinically apparent as flesh colored papules that
erupt on the skin of the genital or perianal area.
They can range in size from 1 mm in diameter to very
large growths. One-third of women with external
venereal warts also have internal vaginal and/or
rectal warts, and, thus, need a gynecologic exam.
Venereal warts usually do not have any symptoms, but
can occasionally they can bleed or cause pain.
How
contagious is the HPV virus?
Little is
known about the transmission of HPV. Risk factors
for acquiring the virus include numerous sexual
partners, frequent sexual intercourse, and the
presence of warts in a co infected sexual partner.
Men have been found to have an increased risk
developing venereal warts if they fail to wear
condoms. Although condoms reduce the transmission of
HPV, their use it does not eliminate it completely.
Is HPV
curable?
Unfortunately,
total eradication of this virus is not possible.
Approximately 10 to 30% of venereal warts
spontaneously resolve within three months. Removal
of viral lesions, in theory, should reduce the
likelihood of viral transmission, but this has not
been proven scientifically.
How are veneral warts treated?
As mentioned
above, treatment can be a difficult process. The
most effective treatment modalities include liquid
nitrogen which causes inflammation and the body to
control and sequester the wart virus. Other
therapeutic modalities include: surgical excision,
laser treatment or acid. The choice of treatment
utilized should be decided by Dr. Harvey and Dr. Hardy and the
patient because there are several factors such as
number and size of lesions which come into play. The
newest treatment option for HPV is a drug called
Imiquimod (Aldara™). Imiquimod is formulated as a topical
cream preparation. It is designed to stimulate one's
immune system by stimulating the chemical protein
known as interferon alpha, which has a negative
effect on HPV. Initial studies have shown that this
treatment is effective in 30% to 50% of patients.
Imiquimod has been found to work better in women
than in men. Please remember that many treatments
are sometimes necessary for HPV control and that
recurrence rate is high. Hopefully, in the near
future we shall, see an effective cure. Currently,
there is active research going on using an HPV
vaccine.
What can
one expect during HPV treatment?
Many of the
modalities discussed above do cause temporary
discomfort, i.e., redness, blistering, pain, can be
seen. Recurrences occur most frequently during the
first three months after therapy has been initiated.
As previously mentioned, infected women, should have
a full pelvic and cervical examination, because they
have an increased risk of carcinoma of the cervix.
Men should be examined for dysplasia (precancer or
cancer) of the penis. Transmission of HPV during
pregnancy may occur in infants who can, if mom has
active disease during delivery, can acquire HPV
virus in their throat and genital area without a
previous history of sexual abuse.
Should you
contact past partners?
Yes, because
of the slight increased risk of cancer which can
occur in both females and males. Examination of
previous partners is advised by Dr. Harvey and Dr. Hardy.
Education is the only way to reduce the risk of
spreading HPV to other people. Because the HPV virus
can lie dormant for many years, there is no way to
know which sex partner gave you the infection. It
is, therefore, sometimes difficult to try to blame a
particular partner for giving you the infection.
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