STD Testing Info

Genital warts are caused by a virus that is extremely common amongst the population around the world and spreads very quickly over the body and between people. The virus is spread by skin to skin contact and can do so easily. The problem is that there is a huge population of people that have the virus that causes genital warts but do not know it since they may not have experienced the symptoms or been able to recognize what they have as genital warts symptoms . Before we go any further I must say that if you think that you have the virus or think that you may have symptoms of warts then you should go right to a qualified doctor to make the diagnosis and assist you in the treatment.

Most warts are not painful and very few people that have them experience anything further than mild itching. The warts can range in size from very tiny all the way to large when they cluster together. The thing about genital warts is that they can show up anywhere and everywhere on the genital area as well as internally. The warts can start off in one area and if left untreated they can actually show up in more and more areas which is common. The visible ones are bad enough but at least they can be identified and treated. The ones that show up in areas that cannot be seen are the problem ones. Women can get genital warts on their cervix which if left unnoticed or untreated can lead to much more problems. The other thing that can happen if there are warts that go unnoticed, the person may not know they have them or the virus and they can spread it much more easily.

The only true way to prevent the spreading of the HPV is by abstaining from sex altogether. If you are not going to get tested and want to have sex still then the best thing to do is have protected sex. There is not guarantee that if you use a condom or similar that you cannot spread the virus but it will help. A smart thing to do is to go to the doctor and have yourself tested for the virus that causes genital warts so that you can learn for sure if you have it so that you do not pass it on to others. If you want to keep yourself safe then you and your partner should be tested at the same time and then continue to have a monogamous relationship.

The more that you know about what is available to you testing and prevention related the better and safer you will be. The virus is out there and it will not be eliminated anytime soon so the best that we can al do is prevent spreading it around further. Do not forget, you can have the virus and not know it and so can anyone else. Trust nobody but the tests that say someone is clear of the virus. People can lie but the tests do not. Stay safe and be careful.

Genital warts or venereal warts appear as growths or bumps. They develop with sexual contact and are caused by a certain type of virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV. The ones caused by virus called the human papillomavirus are very common STD or sexually transmitted disease.

The symptoms show up in the form of venereal warts in the case of females, as lumps in and around the vagina or anus or in rare cases even the throat. The warts or venereal warts caused by virus called the human papillomavirus may also appear internally, on the cervix. In the case of males, the genital or venereal warts form on the tip of the penis, groin, scrotum or the sensitive inner thigh. In appearance, the ones caused by virus called the human papillomavirus are either raised or flat out-growths that are skin colored.

Medical technology and the understanding of warts caused by virus called the human papillomavirus involve the understanding and timely treatment of the small or large genitalia warts, which are sometimes clustered together.

They could be painless most of the time, but they can be painful in extreme cases. Their late appearance results in lost time before the genital warts caused by virus called the human papillomavirus can even be noticed. It takes anything between several months and even years after the infection sets in for the earliest signs.

Many times, the symptoms don’t even appear at all! In the case of females, the human papillomavirus or HPV virus that cause genitalia warts or venereal warts results in changes in the cervix that subsequently leads to cancer of the cervix. The genital warts or venereal warts caused by virus called the human papillomavirus should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible with the help of medical technology.

In the case of males infected with genital warts or venereal warts caused by virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV, the risk of cancer of the penis and the anus is maximized. They are highly contagious. They spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner.

The genitalia warts or venereal warts caused by virus called the human papillomavirus are caused by strains 6, 11, 30, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52 and 54 of genital HPV and types 6 and 11 are the worst types to get infected with.

Genital warts occur in clusters and can be very tiny or large masses. They also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person. The viral particles penetrate the skin during sexual activity. Having sex with a HPV infected person leaves you vulnerable to becoming infected.

Genital warts are the most common STD or sexually transmitted disease that plagued almost 50% of sexually active men and women at some point in their lives. Suffering from this disease is not only embarrassing but there are also health concerns surrounding this contagious disease. It is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and of course, it can be transmitted through sexual contact. It is important to stop genital warts at the onset of the infection to avoid other health issues.

There are more than 40 different types of HPV. Some types are responsible for the occurrence of warts outbreak and there are different types of HPV that causes the rare occurrence of cervical cancer and other genital serious diseases. The HPV type that causes genital warts are generally not life threatening but in most cases it brings embarrassment, stress and discomfort to most sufferers. It is important to stop genital warts as soon as possible before it could totally reduce the quality of your life.

Natural remedies are another option to stop genital warts. It has been proven that natural remedies were able to endure the test of time. Despite the presence of advance and sophisticated treatments, natural remedies are still around as an alternative treatment for various illnesses including genital warts.

Sometimes the viruses disappear on its own but it has a high tendency to come back if left untreated. The virus lies inactive until such time that the conditions are right for another attack. It is important to seek medical advice once you suspected that you have the virus. Learning how to stop genital warts will help you get rid of the problem for good.

HPV vaccination is now available to stop genital warts or HPV in women. Although this serves more as prevention and recommended for girls on their teens or before they become sexually active, women who already have HPV will also benefit from it by stopping other types of HPV from infecting them.

Another way to stop genital warts is to be cautious in handling the infection. Do not touch it, prick it or try to remove it by yourself to avoid the spread of infection.

There are also medications to stop genital warts. There are prescription and over the counter drugs for warts treatment. Some comes in the form of creams, acid solution and some need to be injected on the warts. Take note that medicines for face, hands and plantar warts may not be applicable as treatment for genital warts. Ask your doctor or follow the instruction on how to apply the medicine. This method of treatment may require longer period of treatment to see results.

More aggressive treatments like laser and surgery are also an option to stop genital warts. The downside of these treatments is that they are very expensive, require repeat treatments, require longer healing time and may result to permanent scarring.

Did you know that you can stop genital warts naturally at the comfort of your own home in just 3 days? To find out more visit Mole, Wart and Skin Tag Free in 3 days.

“I am the Grandmother of all growth, all growing things, all life. I am the grandmother of bacteria and viruses as well as plants and animals, fish and insects. When you throb with life these other lives live with you. When your life force ebbs, they live on you, growing grotesque without the check of your immunity.

“Do you feel proud of your sexuality my child? Your immune system thrives on true pride; and fails when subjected to blame and shame, guilt and mortification. Walk tall; smile often; be flexible, let life fill you, and you will have little to fear from most viruses you meet.”

“… for women who exhibit the earliest signs of HPV infection, the best prescription may be no treatment at all,” according to Karyn Herndon at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. “Three out of four women in the observation-only group lost their flat warts – a finding that suggests that the body’s immune system can drive the virus into a dormant state.”(1) Women treated with laser removal of cervical warts were twice as likely as untreated women to have precancerous and cancerous changes occur in the following years.

Having an HPV infection is “like having the sniffles,” says Anna-Barbara Moscicki, MD. “It’s an infection your body can usually handle … and get rid of.”(2) In a study of 600 sexually active women aged 13 to 21, half became infected with HPV over a 10 year period; 70% of those women did not develop lesions or warts at all, and only 10% of those who did have lesions were diagnosed with cervical cancer.(3)

Many of the papilloma viruses are non-contagious, but some – especially those that give rise to plantar warts and genital warts (HPV) – are not only contagious, but widespread and stealthy. They are resilient enough to live outside the body. Shed skin cells containing the viruses can remain infectious for several days in warm, moist places.(4) And symptomless people can pass HPV to others. Some of the viruses that cause genital warts are benign; others can give rise to deadly cancers.

Of the 20 types of HPV which colonize the genital area, four are known to initiate cervical cancer, a usually slow-growing cancer which is currently responsible for the deaths of more women in Africa, Asia, and India (where Pap smears are not routine) than any other cancer.(5) Several HPV are implicated in penile and rectal cancer as well. HPV is the most common STD in the USA and Europe, with more than six million new cases a year in the USA.(6) At least 50%, and probably closer to 100% of all non-vaccinated sexually-active people will be infected over their lifetime. During a three-year study, 40% of a group of female college students acquired HPV infections.(7) Fortunately, only a small percentage of HPV infections generate cancer, and we can do much to insure we aren’t in that small percent.

Once infected with human papilloma virus, you are infected for life. There is no known cure and no medically-approved treatment. The best strategy is to nourish the immune system.

Homeopathic Thuja is a “ground remedy” for the genitals, and is especially indicated when there are genital warts.(8) Higher dilutions, such as 30C, are best.

While there is no food that prevents or cures HPV infections, the likelihood of warts or cancer is determined by the immune system – which can be nourished and strengthened with whole grains, well-cooked greens, roots, cabbage family plants, olive oil, organic dairy products and meats, onions, garlic, seaweed, mushrooms, and nourishing herbal infusions of astragalus, burdock, and nettle.

St. Joan’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a natural antiviral. One of its alkaloids, pseudo-hypericin, kills HIV. But ingesting it in concentrated form causes hypersensitivity to sunlight, making it useless as a drug. Fortunately, the tincture of the fresh plant – even in large, frequent doses – counters viruses without triggering sensitivity. Avoid capsules or teas; they can cause sensitivity. When I feel the need to prevent a viral infection, I use one dropperful of Hypericum tincture in a little water three or four times a day for a few days. When I want to treat viral infections, I use one or two dropperfuls in water every hour or two until symptoms abate, and continue at a lower dose until I no longer need it.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) are mint family plants with antiviral constituents which are especially effective as salves.

Celandine (Celadonium majus) juice is the most effective way I know to remove external genital warts. It is safe, painless, and easy to use if you live where evergreen celandine grows – in Europe, in North America, from Nova Scotia to Georgia and west to Missouri, throughout Europe, and in waste places in temperate-zone cities. The fresh sap from leaf stalks or the root works fastest, and best, but topical applications of tincture are somewhat effective, too.

American mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) is the acknowledged queen of external genital wart destruction. This poisonous plant is used in a concentrated form – Podophyllin – as a topical treatment. Although plant-based, Podophyllin can cause severe side-effects, including burns that scar, fatal reactions, and birth defects or fetal death if used during pregnancy. To prevent damage to healthy tissues, all skin except for the warts must be thoroughly covered with petroleum jelly before it is applied, and the Podophyllin must be wiped off before it penetrates too deeply, usually within one to four hours. Weekly treatments over six or more weeks are the norm. A less concentrated, and thus safer form – Podofilox – is available by prescription for use at home. (But trichloroacetic acid is safer, and celandine is more fun.)

Eastern white cedar, Thuja occidentalis, is the “tree of life.” Thuja is primarily a homeopathic remedy, but thuja tincture or essential oil applied twice a day to genital warts can “burn” them off.

Trichloroacetic acid is as effective as Podophyllin in removing warts, but less likely to leave scars or provoke severe systemic reactions, and is considered safe to use during pregnancy.(9) It is applied in the doctor’s office, usually weekly for six weeks.

Colposcopy is a close examination of the cervix with magnifying binoculars after it has been bathed with acetic acid (vinegar), which turns HPV-infected tissues bright white. You do not have to agree to a biopsy if you agree to a colposcopy; testing for HPV-DNA is better in many ways. If you do agree, biopsy forceps will be used to “chomp” out pieces of cervical tissue for microscopic examination by a pathologist.

Testing cervical cells for the presence of DNA from cancer-causing HPV is “just as effective as a biopsy of cervical tissue, with less expense,” according to researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC. Screening every woman over 20 every two years with an HPV-DNA test would reduce the number of cervical biopsies by 60%, they conclude.(10) A woman who tests negative for HPV, as 45% of women will, does not need a colposcopy. If the test if positive for HPV, there’s still only a 10-20% chance that she will require treatment.(11)

“It is not known how many women who have had expensive [and painful] laser surgery or … cryosurgery are informed beforehand that the treatment is purely cosmetic and has a high recurrence rate.”(12)

Before you agree to any procedure, remember that removal of infected tissue does not remove the virus, which remains ready to recur when the immune system is at an ebb. Surgery doesn’t cure HPV, and because it is a major stress to the immune system, it can increase the chances that a given lesion will progress to cancer.

“Regardless of treatment, one in four HPV-infected people will have a recurrence within three months.”(13)

Footnotes:

1. “The cervical dilemma: Some warts may be better left untreated,” Kathy A. Fackelmann, Science News, 139: 362 3, June 8, 1991

2. “HPV doesn’t have to spell cancer,” Christie Aschwanden, Health, Jan/Feb 2002

3. Ibid

4. “Contagion: A sometimes lethal sexual epidemic that condoms can’t stop,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, September 13, 1999

5. “Contagion,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 1999

6. “FDA licenses new vaccine …,” FDA news release, June 2006

7. “Contagion,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 1999

8. Natural Healing in Gynecology, Rina Nissim, Pandora, 1984 (p. 43)

9. Our Bodies, Ourselves, Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, 1998

10. “Adding an HPV,” Cornell Uni. Women’s Health Advisor, July 2002

11. “One Way to Avoid Unnecessary Testing After Ambiguous Pap Results,” HealthFacts, May 2001

12. “Screening for Cervical Cancer,” HealthFacts, XV (136), Sept 1990

13. PDR Family Guide to Women’s Health, Medical Economics, 1994