Warts are the most common sexually transmitted disease.

The use of a condom does not exclude the transmission of the virus, 50% of sexually active people will be infected with the HPV virus at some point. Warts will appear in only 10% of them, as the virus is fought by the immune system and does not manifest itself, remaining latent. condition. HPV viruses 16,18,31,45 are considered to be the highest risk subtypes responsible for various malformations, especially cervical cancer, while the low risk viruses that are mainly responsible for warts are HPV 6, 11, 42 , and 44. HPV6 & HPV11 types are responsible for 90% of warts. Although warts can be removed from the affected area, the HPV virus stays in the body forever.

Symptoms

Warts in women appear in the area of ​​the vagina, cervix, small and large lips, urethra and more rarely in the bladder. Causes that help warts grow are infections, vaginal discharge and pregnancy. In pregnancy, warts can spread very easily. In men, they occur on the foreskin, body of the penis, scrotum, pubic area, foreskin, and urethra. Topics that help acute warts develop include topical corticosteroids, urethritis, gout, immunosuppression (eg HIV infection), and diabetes.
Warts do not cause discomfort and therefore may not be noticeable by the patient, they are pink or rarely brown in color, soft with a smooth, or wavy surface and a broad or scaly base. They are transported from one area to another and can be combined into larger lesions. Warts appear both in the anal area and in the pharynx.
In addition to warts, high-risk hpv infections can lead to precancerous lesions in both men and women. These lesions often occur along with the warts and can significantly lead to cancer in the affected areas. A woman who has had warts does not mean that she will develop cervical cancer. Mild complications of warts are the formation of erosions and wounds on the skin and mucous membranes, bleeding, inflammation, as well as problems with urination and defecation. The psychological problems that result from HPV infection are also very important.Serious complications of warts: the huge increase in their size (giant warts), precancerous lesions, and malignant neoplasms of the genital area, anus and even the intestine.

Prevention

The only way to prevent warts is monogamy, as even the use of a condom does not completely protect against the HPV virus. Circumcision in men significantly helps reduce the risk of transmitting the virus and the chances of infection. There are also two vaccines for HPV. Gardasil is specific for HPV16, 18, 6, 11. Cervarix protects against 16.18 which are responsible for neoplasms and cervical malformations. Both of these vaccines are preventive and not therapeutic. It is recommended to be done before the beginning of sexual life, to effectively protect against warts and neoplasms of the cervix. The diagnosis of warts is made clinically by an experienced dermatologist who will suggest the appropriate treatment.