Demystifying genital warts

06 Sep, 2015 - 00:09 0 Views
Demystifying genital warts WRITHING IN PAIN . . . Tarisai Bonisani grimaces as she struggles to stand after an interview recently

The Sunday Mail

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection that manifests as raised or flat coloured spots on sexual organs.

The University of Maryland Medical Centre defines them as a sexually transmitted infection caused by a specific Human Papillomavirus (HPV), namely HPV6 and 11.

The infection can cause growths that look like the top of a cauliflower. However, the university suggests that in some cases, the warts are too small to be visible.

Local health experts have said the infection can manifest on both male and female sexual organs although they affect more women than men.

“Genital warts can affect both men and women. In women, they normally show on the skin around the vagina, inside vaginal vulva and around the anal system while in men it appears below the foreskin, testicles, scrotum, groin and thighs or even in the anus,” said Dr Steven Ndlovu, a local general practitioner.

“In males, the infection may cause pain when urinating if it affects the urethra since the urethra is a passage for urine. In some cases individuals may feel pain during sexual intercourse.

“The same applies to females, if the warts affect the vaginal vulvas, passing urine becomes painful, itchy and causes a lot of discomfort during sexual intercourse.”

He said some types of HPV which causes genital warts can also cause the development of vulva or cervical cancers if they are not treated.

Genital warts can spread more quickly if one indulges in sexual activities with multiple sexual partners or has a suppressed immune system.

In some cases, the infection spreads faster among individuals who get sexually active at early stages and those who extensively consume tobacco as well as alcohol.

Dr Ndlovu added: “A person can be infected with genital warts and not have any visible signs for several months, years or weeks after being in contact with the virus. Genital warts in women usually start manifesting during pregnancy or during the time when their immune is suppressed by HIV or diabetes.”

While genital warts can be treated by cauterisation, National Aids Council’s Monitoring and evaluation director, Mr Amon Mpofu, said the warts can vanish by dropping a smear on them.

“Genital warts are contributing to our current national burden of STI. Although as an organisation we are encouraging people to persistently use condoms, there are many people who are practising unprotected sex. This is leading to high incidence of STIs.

“Untreated genital warts can cause blindness to newly born babies if an affected mother has vaginal delivery. This occurs when the mother’s infected genitals gets in contact with the baby during delivery.”

Untreated genital warts can either remain the same or grow bigger. In some few cases however, they can disappear on their own.

Mr Mpofu said having genital warts does not necessarily mean that one is HIV positive.

“Genital warts have always been there before HIV, as such, a person can have genital warts without being HIV infected,” explained Mr Mpofu.

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