Friday, November 28, 2008

How Much Do You Really Know About Genital Wart Symptom?

By Rashel Dan

Generally, an individual won't know that he or she has genital warts until it breaks out. But your genital wart is not the disease itself. It is merely a symptom for something more insidious. Trying to find even a single genital wart symptom may be difficult at first. The key is learning more about the virus that causes genital warts.

A form of viral infection, genital warts are caused by a virus called HPV or Human Papillomavirus. Among the different types of warts, there is one that causes the greatest amount of discomfort and concern, the genital wart. It is found in the most sensitive part of the body and is the most easily recognized sign of genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

It infects both men and women, often through all forms of sexual contact, be it coital, anal, oral, or even non-penetrative sex. All it takes is the slightest skin contact and you're hit. Generally, like many other STDs, the Human Papillomavirus does not cause external visible symptoms. The genital wart symptom may occur and develop within three weeks to three months after infection. In some cases have been the genital wart symptom had lain dormant and did not surface until a year later.

There are two main types of genital warts: the small hard spots that look like blisters, and large fleshy masses that look like cauliflower. In women, the genital wart symptom occurs on the lips of the vagina, inside the vagina or around the anus. In men, genital wart symptom may appear on the tip of the penis, the shaft, at the base of the penis, on the scrotum, and in and around the anus. Another genital wart symptom is that the warts tend to cluster together. By itself, the genital wart symptom is not painful. However, it may be intrusive and irritating because it may make bodily functions such as urinating and defecating uncomfortable and difficult, and in some cases, downright painful.

The most recognizable sign of HPV infection is the genital wart. Although a wide variety of HPV types can cause genital warts, only two viral strains can cause genital warts. Most people who acquire genital wart-associated HPV types clear the infection rapidly. Getting rid of genital warts is a long process. You should consult your doctor and his/ her diagnosis on your specific situation before he/ she may recommend the appropriate genital wart treatment for you. Here are the types of treatment available for people with this type of wart infection:

- Treatment of Genital Wart symptom: The most common treatment uses Imiquimod, and Podophyllin and Podofilox. Each of these wart medication has specific application instructions so be sure to have yourself checked by your for a correct diagnosis.

- Treatment through surgery: Surgical treatment can come in two types: Freezing the warts to destroy the infected cells, or cauterizing, or burning them off. Cryosurgery freezes the area affected by the genital wart. Electric, or laser cauterization, and laser treatment, involve cauterizing or burning off the genital wart and killing the presence of the virus around the affected area. Most doctors would recommend procedures depending on the size of your genital wart. A small genital wart may be removed either through medication, or by freezing (as in cryosurgery, using supercooled solution). Larger masses of genital wart may be subjected to burning or cauterization (be it electrocautery or chemical cautery),

In other cases, a genital wart symptom may be a sign of another condition that may not just be a simple HPV infection. Make an appointment to see your doctor when you notice you have genital wart. Your doctor may be able to determine whether you have genital wart symptom for the Human Papillomavirus infection, or for something else.

As mentioned, the virus can be acquired by direct sexual contact. It doesn't have to be penetrative sex either; merely touching the skin of your sexual partner is enough for a genital wart infection. Keep your body clean and dry always, especially your sensitive area. A wet and moist environment is very ideal for genital wart growth, take regular showers and dry off completely. Don't wait for the genital wart symptom to appear: The key to ridding your genital wart is undergoing the prescribe treatment and maintaining your good health. - 15438

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