Your Warts and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - What Are the Characteristics of This Virus

Most of us have probably been forced to deal with warts at one time or another, whether personally or while supporting loved ones.

A wart is a skin tumor and is typically composed of a small lump on the outer layer of the skin. There are many different types of warts and they are usually classified both by their location on the body and by their appearance.

These skin growths are caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV. The human papilloma virus is contagious and can pass from one person to another. It can also be transmitted by touching an object torched by a contaminated person. The HPV has also a tendency to contaminate other areas in the same body.

It is easily transferred from person to person when the skin has been opened through a scratch, cut, or abrasion. The strains of the human papilloma virus that causes genital warts can easily be transmitted through sexual activity.

Being a carrier of this virus does not always mean that you will develop warts. Many individuals are carriers of this virus but may not develop any growth themselves. They can however transmit this virus to other individual.

Children and young people seem to be most susceptible to this virus, though it can really affect anyone. The virus is most contagious in its very early stages. However, anyone with a history of HPV can spread it. Sometimes years can go by before warts appear as a result of the infection.

HIV or medications that suppress the immune system make people much more susceptible to this virus and so increase the likelihood of developing warts.

If a person is healthy and active, sometimes the immune system can destroy the wart on its own. A healthy diet may also help to strengthen the immune system.

HPV has been associated with warts but in recent years it has been discovered that it can cause certain types of genital cancers and abnormal growth in the eye as well.

The preferred habitats for the human papilloma virus are warm and moist environments. It can easily be found in places where water is used such as bathrooms and swimming pool areas. It can also more easily be found in public places where water is used since such places are frequented by many individuals. These places include public shower floors, public swimming pool floors, gyms and locker rooms. It can also be found in shoes!

If you take the appropriate precautions you will decrease the chances to be contaminated with the human papilloma virus. Refrain to go barefooted in the areas described above a far as you can, especially if it is a public place.

Further more refrain from touching your wart and then touching another part of your body. This may transfer the HPV from that wart to other areas of your body and so contaminating that other part.

Facts About Genital Warts

Condyloma acuminata or so-called genital wart are considered a benign, sexually transmitted disease that is commonly found around the rectum, penis and vagina. Papillomaviruses are the main cause of this growth. In the United States, about 500,000 people in the general population develop genital warts, which proves how common this condition is. For the 20-45% of sexually active people, women constitute the majority of the population affected by the virus. And because of the location of these warts, condoms are not as effective at protecting the person.

Causes
There are specific kinds of papillomavirus that can cause genital warts and some only causes growth in prominent parts of the human skin. Different kinds of virus may infect the genital area but not all are visible, some viruses can cause raised areas within the cervix that are not seen by the naked eye and only a microscope may prove its existence and give rough details. These lesser visible spots may not cause any symptoms although papillomavirus, specifically, is a major risk factor for one to develop cervical cancer. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate treatment.

Genital wart symptoms
Genital warts love moist and warm surfaces which is why it is often seen on the foreskin of the penis in men especially if the penis is not circumcised. Women experience growth around the vaginal wall, vulva, cervix and the perineal area. Because of the affinity, some warts tend to grow in nearby areas like the anus or inside the rectum; this happens to those who engage in anal sex. One thing in particular is that, people who have it in them are symptomatic although there is a typical pain and burning sensation on their genital area.

After the infection of the papillomavirus, warts tend to disappear within one to six months. Growth can be identified as pink, soft or moist swellings that grow rapidly and tend to appear as irregular and rough bumps. Warts usually accumulates in the same area and because of their rough surfaces, they seem to appear like small cauliflowers.

Who are prone to wart growth and infection?
People who are immunocompromised wherein their immune system doesn’t have the capability to battle out the virus within the body, examples are those undergoing chemotherapy.  Also, these tend to grow rapidly in women who are pregnant and those who already have skin inflammation.

Genital wart diagnosis
Usually, the diagnosis will be based from the wart appearance. Persistent and unusual-looking warts can be removed through surgical processes and be examined under a microscope for further evaluation if cancer might have occurred. In women, it is advisable that Pap smear be done in order to diagnose if there are signs of cancer growth caused by cervix warts.

Genital wart treatment
For people who have a strong immune system, they can lose genital warts in a couple of months and eventually control growth of further papillomavirus within their system. Most of the time, infection is gone after eight to ten months.

The treatment of genital warts has no satisfactory results and can leave scars that can become uncomfortable. Genital warts located outside can be removed by freezing, laser and even local surgery under anesthesia. Some warts located in the urethra can be eliminated by endoscopic surgery and are sometimes followed by the introduction of a chemotherapy drug.