Genital human papillovavirus (HPV) is a sexually
transmitted virus and there are more than 30 types
of genital HPV
that can infect the genital area while transmitting
genital warts. Women can develop vaginal warts, men
can develop genital
warts on the penis and both can develop anal warts.
Genital warts transmission occurs by direct sexual
contact with another person who carries the genital
wart virus. An estimated 40 million Americans are
infected with genital warts with up to 1 million cases
diagnosed every year. Genital warts and HPV are a
serious health concern. For women, vaginal
warts have been linked to cervical as well as
other types of genital
cancers. Even genital warts in men can lead to
cancer.
How is the virus spread?
Genital HPV is highly infectious, particularly when
warts are present, and is spread mainly through direct
skin to skin contact with the infected area. Genital
HPV is passed on during sexual contact especially
through vaginal and anal sex, but oral sex and even
non-penetrative sex play (when hand transmission of
genital warts can take place) are risky too. It is
even possible for genital warts transmission to occur
through the use of sex toys which can carry an infection
from one person to another.
Some facts about transmitting genital warts
you may not know:
o In rare cases, the genital warts virus may be spread
without direct sexual contact. It may be possible,
for example, to pick up the virus if you use a towel
to wipe your genitals after is has been used by someone
who has HPV or genital warts. You should always only
use your own towel at all times. However you can rest
assured that genital warts cannot be caught from toilet
seats or swimming pools and even the different type
of wart which appears on your hand will not be passed
on to your genital area.
o Genital warts on the penis are common in both heterosexual
and gay man while anal warts in males tend to occur
more frequently in gay men, primarily as a result
of unprotected anal intercourse and direct penis-to-rectum
contact during sex.
o Although lesbian sex is generally considered to
be low risk for sexually transmitted infections, it
is still possible for HPV to be spread between women
and recent studies have suggested that it is probably
more common that had previously been thought.
o Genital warts grow much better inside the anus
or the vagina than the penis so even though most people
never see warts on their sexual partner’s penis,
they can catch the infection nevertheless.
o In very rare cases, a person is born with a genital
wart infection when a mother with genital warts can
transmit genital
warts in pregnancy once the childbirth begins.
As well, a child can become infected while being bathed
or changed. However, if a child has genital warts,
then you seriously need to suspect sexual abuse as
a possible cause and investigate fully.
Anyone can get a genital wart – male or female.
And the most common way for genital warts to be transmitted
is through sexual intercourse with someone else that
has a genital wart or by touching the genitals of
someone who already has a genital wart. It is a skin
to skin contact condition.
There are several factors which put you at a higher
risk for genital warts transmission and other complications
of HPV.
These factors are:
o Multiple sexual partners or a single sexual partner
who in turn has multiple sexual partners.
o Not knowing the status of your sexual partner such
as whether they in fact have a sexually transmitted
disease.
o Starting at an early age to be sexually active.
o The use of alcohol and tobacco.
o Suffering from stress and other viral infections
such as HIV or herpes at the same time.
o Poor nutrition and a weakened immune system which
make you more vulnerable.
Seek medial advice
Any growth on the genitals should be examined by
a physician. Avoid touching the genital area and use
rubber gloves or wash the hands thoroughly in hot
soapy water if contact is made. It is extremely important
to fully investigate a genital warts treatment as
soon as you are aware of their presence.
If you are too embarrassed to discuss your fears
with your family doctor or think you might have an
STD, you can seek confidential advice from your local
clinic. They will either do the examination themselves
or send you to a specialist clinic.
How do you prevent transmission of genital
warts?
Doctors believe that transmitting genital warts can
be reduced by successful treatment of warts and by
the use on condoms. However, neither method can prevent
transmission in every case; especially for warts not
covered by a condom. Knowing one’s sexual partner
and other forms of safe sex help reduce transmission
but only abstinence is 100% successful.
Go
to our Genital Warts Treatment page
