21 Nov 2018

Genital warts are sexually transmitted infections caused by some strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Speaking in an interview, Dr Dick Mpitika said they appeared in the form of soft growth on the genitals.

He said genital warts often disappear with time without causing any health problems, but that once HPV lingered in the bloodstream, it could become recurrent over the course of a patient’s life.

He said with occurrence of symptoms, a doctor may prescribe topical wart treatments. He added that if the warts did not disappear a patient might undergo minor surgery such as burning them with electric currents or laser treatment to remove them.

“Certain vaccines can protect men and women from the most common HPV strains that cause genital warts, and can also protect against strains of HPV that are linked to cervical cancer. The use of condoms during sexual intercourse may also reduce the risk of contracting genital warts,” he said.

He said symptoms in women were vaginal discharge, itching, bleeding and burning sensation. He added that the condition could be uncomfortable and even painful.

Dr Mpitika also noted that people did not get genital warts through sexual intercourse only, adding that they could get it through skin-to-skin contact with someone who was infected.

Dr Mpitika said a wart could not spread from someone’s hand to the genitals and vice versa because the strains from hands or other parts of the body differed from those on the genitals.

He said people who were vulnerable to genital warts were those under 30 years, smokers, those with weakened immune systems, and rarely children of a mother who had the virus during childbirth.

“Possible complications of Human Papilloma Virus may cause cancer in the cervix while other types may also cause cancer of the vulva, and can also cause penile and anal cancer,” he said. ENDS