GENITAL WARTS
Introduction
If you're dealing with genital warts, it's essential to consult your doctor and explore potential treatment options.
Experiencing bleeding from warts that can't be controlled with direct pressure warrants a doctor's attention. Warts obstructing the urethral opening and preventing urination constitute an emergency and require prompt treatment.
Self-Care at Home
Given that genital warts typically manifest with no noticeable symptoms, home treatment is seldom necessary. However, it's crucial to acknowledge their presence.
- You should take precautions to prevent any trauma to the area, which can result in bleeding.
- Ensure that you take steps to prevent transmission to sexual partners.
- Given that the warts themselves are infectious, refrain from touching them. Avoid picking or squeezing the warts.
Prevention
In 2006, the FDA approved an HPV vaccine known as Gardasil for use in girls and women aged 9-26. This vaccine has demonstrated safety and 100% effectiveness in preventing infection with the four most common HPV types (6, 11, 16, and 18) in women with no previous exposure to the virus. However, its efficacy is lower in women already infected with HPV, and it doesn't guard against all HPV infections. Ongoing studies are examining its safety and effectiveness in older women and males.
Since no treatment is entirely foolproof, it's critical to minimize the transmission of HPV, the virus responsible for genital warts and associated cancer risks. You can reduce the transmission of genital warts by using condoms and refraining from sexual activity until treatment is completed.