What are Genital Warts, and How Can I Tell If I Have Them?
Genital warts are one symptom of HPV, or the Human Papilloma Virus. Venereal warts are the most common and easily recognized sign of a genital HPV. Many can be infected with HPV and still not show any visible signs. HPV infects close to 6 million people yearly and is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases, not just in America, but on the planet. Genital warts comprise a few of over one hundred strains of HPV. HPV and Genital warts are contracted through sexual contact and they are highly contagious.
Can YOU Get Genital Warts (HPV)?
No one is immune to HPV, and anyone can contract it at any time in their life. It is most commonly transferred through sexual activity, or by touching the genitals of someone who is infected. In rare cases, young children being changed can contract it if the caretaker changing them is infected.
Genital warts spread through any kind of sexual contact including oral, genital or anal sex. There are more than 20 million people currently infected in the US which means an astounding two thirds of all sexually active people who have unprotected sex will develop genital warts. The symptoms of HPV will usually show up within three months of sexual contact, but sometimes lay dormant for years until making its presence known.
Symptoms of HPV
In men and women, genital warts usually show up below the waist on the body. In women, the vaginal area including the anus may be infected. In men, the tip of the penis and scrotum, as well as the rectum, is likely areas to show warts. Those who have participated in oral sex will rarely develop warts in the mouth and throat of the person.
IS HPV contagious forever?
Essentially, since there is no cure for HPV, an infected person will remain infected their entire lives. There are several treatment options on the market today that fight this disease, but nothing will cure it. Surgical removal or natural products to boost the immune system have proven the most successful options so far.
It is important to remember that just because someone may not have a visible sign of HPV, doesn’t mean they are not infected. The virus that causes venereal warts will remain in your body for the duration of your life whether or not the warts remain dormant. Some carriers of HPV will experience outbreaks and struggle to keep warts under control. Various tests are available to detect HPV, though they aren’t commonly used.
How Do You Stay UNINFECTED?
Practicing safe sex and using a condom is the best way to protect you or your partner from HPV. However, using a condom doesn’t necessarily protect a person, and you are still highly at risk. If you have struggled with genital warts before, and now have them under control, you are STILL at risk! Having sexual contact with another who is infected can cause genital warts to reappear, sometimes worse than the first time.
Be smart and safe and stay clean from HPV!
