Genital warts are not a pleasant condition to deal with.Unfortunately, lots of people either have genital warts already or are infected with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause these warts to develop. In fact it’s estimated that by age fifty 80 percent of American women will be infected with at least one strain of HPV. Once you’re infected with the virus, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate it. Not only that, but lots of people carrying HPV don’t even know they have it until they develop genital warts or, in the case of a female, an abnormal pap smear. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and it’s very contagious. Just because you and your sexual partner don’t see any lesions doesn’t mean you aren’t infected since not all individuals infected by HPV develop obvious genital lesions.
So what do genital warts look like? When visible, they appear as flesh colored cauliflower bumps on your private parts. A genital wart can be a single lesion or occur in grouped clusters and may be too small to be easily seen. Having HPV is not only a hassle because of the genital warts but can lead to cancer down the road. Nearly all cervical cancer in women is caused by two strains of HPV. In males penile cancer, though infrequent, is also the result of HPV infection. The only effective way of addressing HPV infections is through prevention.
In 2006 the Gardasil HPV vaccine was approved for preventing HPV infections in females. It’s a series of three shots given several months apart. The Gardasil HPV vaccine has proven to be safe and extremely effective in preventing the four of the most troubling strains of HPV (strains 6,11,16, and 18) from infecting women. As a result the incidence of genital warts and cervical cancer should decrease in the near future as more young girls receive the Gardasil HPV vaccine. But what about males? The incidence of penile and anal cancer is very low compared to cervical cancer; however, if the goal is the complete elimination of HPV infections it can’t be done if males continue to carry the virus.
The Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is soon expected to recommend the Gardasil HPV vaccine for all males aged 11 and 12. A large study conducted by the maker of the Gardasil HPV vaccine has shown that it is as safe and effective in preventing HPV infections in males as in females. The hope is that by immunizing all preteen males and females before they become sexually active, the worldwide transmission of HPV will decline as will the incidence of genital warts and associated cancers. Unfortunately the Gardasil HPV vaccine is preventive but not therapeutic meaning it can prevent but not cure existing infection.
HPV infection remains the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. Practicing abstinence is the only guaranteed way of avoiding infection. Being monogamous and using barrier birth control methods such as a male or female condom will reduce but not prevent the risk of infection particularly since it’s so easily spread. Genital warts can be treated; unfortunately, no current medical treatments can consistently cure HPV infections. With the advent of the Gardasil HPV vaccine there’s now have a reliable method for preventing the spread of HPV. Ultimately vaccinating all preteen children will be the most effective mechanism for reducing the incidence of this unwelcome viral infection as well as it’s serious health consequences.
Related posts: