Genital Warts
How long after being infected arise genital warts?
Incubation, ie the time necessary to arise the first manifestations of HPV infection is approximately 2 to 8 months, but it can take several years! So because of this wide variability to bring up an injury, it is virtually impossible to determine at what time and how an individual has been infected with HPV.
What is the difference between genital warts and other types of warts that appear elsewhere in the body?
Not all skin lesions are warts, but many of them have in common the same trigger: HPV. While some HPV types grow better in certain areas of the body such as hands or feet, others have preferably the genital area. Genital warts usually develop on the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and the region near the anus.
Genital warts resemble warts other parts of the body, and as these are usually asymptomatic. They can be single or multiple, small or large, skin color, pink or brownish. If untreated, they can grow in size and number, acquiring look like the "cauliflower".
Commonly, genital warts are known as "cockscomb"; doctors call them condyloma. Although several names, all refer to the same lesion.
What is the relationship between HPV, genital warts and cancer?
HPV types associated with cervical cancer are not normally types that cause genital warts; the latter tend to be caused by types of "low risk".
A small number of HPV types called "high risk" is related to the development of cervical cancer, vagina, vulva, penis and anus. All these cancers have treatment and can be detected early by simple and periodic tests, ie routine medical consultation.
The course of HPV infection is equal for men and women?
Both the man and the woman are infected with HPV and that do not have visible warts, most often unaware they are carriers of HPV, which can transmit the virus to their sexual partners.
However, evolution, manifestation and treatment are different in men and women. This is mainly due to anatomical and hormonal differences between the sexes. In women there is a more favorable environment for the development and multiplication of HPV, which may occur more serious complications such as injuries, which if not treated can develop into cancer.
It is possible that individuals who do not have sex for several years may develop genital warts?
Yes. Contact with the HPV virus may have occurred several years ago and this remained "asleep" (dormant). The decrease in body resistance can trigger the proliferation of HPV and thus cause the appearance of clinical and / or subclinical injury.
How are genital warts diagnosed?
As the location of the lesions may be difficult to verify the presence of genital warts only by self-examination. It is not always possible to tell the difference between a wart and other types of skin lesions. Thus, whenever there is suspicion of HPV infection, it is highly recommended to seek medical attention. This professional can not only advise and treat, as well as perform appropriate tests, if needed.In general, the diagnosis of genital warts can be performed during a single visit. However, the diagnosis of subclinical infection requires tests with devices with magnifying lens (colposcope or magnifying glass). Latent infection can be diagnosed only by sophisticated laboratory tests, which are indicated restricted to specific cases.
It is normal to feel disappointed / depressed after being diagnosed with HPV or genital warts?
Yes, many people feel disappointed. There may be feelings of shame, decreased sexual desire, fear of having cancer, revolt against the sexual partners, even if it is usually not possible to know exactly at what time or how it occurred infection by HPV virus.
What is the most commonly affected site by warts in women and men?
The most common sites of appearance of these lesions are the glans, the foreskin and the urethral meatus in men and the labia minora, vaginal introitus and the perineum in women. In both sexes may occur in the anus and rectum, not necessarily related to anal intercourse.
What is the principle of treatment of HPV infection and genital warts?
Generally speaking, there are no oral medications able to eliminate virus infections. Most drugs against any virus works to reduce viral load and / or stimulating the immune system to become stronger so as to be able to eliminate the virus. In the case of HPV infection, so far there is no treatment for latent infection by HPV (one that is dormant); in most cases the body takes care to eliminate the virus. In the case of subclinical infection when symptoms such as itching or when there is membership in precursor lesions of cancer, they should be treated.
Warts also need to be dealt with, as the delay in the treatment of genital warts can make more extensive and potentially more serious injuries, and the risk of transmitting the virus to partners. Until recently, the removal of genital warts was performed essentially by destroying the affected tissue by means of surgical or chemical cauterization. This destruction of the lesions appears to not only decrease the amount of virus but also stimulate the immune system and cause the immune system to produce cells that will combat and eliminate the virus. However, each individual responds differently to treatment.Some may need a therapy session, others in various sessions and some do not respond to this conventional treatment. In the latter case should be used to associate or immunotherapy for proper treatment.
It is common not respond to treatment through chemical or surgical cauterizing?
At the time of the procedure, all warts are destroyed, but soon after they grow back and this cycle of treatment and recurrence of the warts can occur for weeks, months and even years. About 20% of people do not respond to therapy by chemical or surgical cautery. In these persons it is necessary to add treatment based immunotherapy.
Why the warts grow back if during treatment the doctor destroyed them all?
Because there HPV invisible to the naked eye and even magnifying glass around the treated areas.
What is immunotherapy?
It is a novel treatment that activates the immune system and more specifically against HPV is infecting organism. Today, there is on the market an immunomodulatory cream topical imiquimod containing the substance. Recurrence rates of warts after applying this cream are very low. While the other procedures destroy the wart, the immunomodulator increases the local production of own substances of the immune system, which help in the fight against viral diseases, determining the complete disappearance of warts and to prevent its reappearance. This cream can be applied by the patient and is painless.
What is the advantage of treatment for genital warts that can be applied by the patient?
There are some types of medications that can be applied by the patient himself. The advantages would be less frequent returns to the doctor and consequently lower absence from school, college or work.These treatments are also very useful for executives who are always traveling or for people who do not like pain. Discuss with your doctor if your case can be treated this way. These medications must be prescribed by a doctor and need medical care.
If genital warts untreated, may progress to cervical cancer?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) belongs to a large family of viruses and more than 45 different types can infect the skin of the genitals. Almost all types were well studied and is now known that the HPV group that causes precancerous lesions or cancer (called group of high oncogenic risk) is not the same that usually causes genital warts (called low-risk group oncogenic). In 90-95% of cases of genital warts are caused by HPV low risk group. However, one should not delay the treatment of genital warts, not just the unpleasant aesthetic appearance, but also the risk of growth in scope and size of the lesions and high contagiousness (partners for transmission).
