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by Holly Clegg

One of the most prevalent viruses is the human papillomavirus (HPV).  Many strains of the virus are harmless while others can cause genital warts or even cancer.  Avoiding sexual contact with a person experiencing an outbreak and always using safe-sex practices will help avoid the transmission of genital warts.  A doctor can diagnose genital warts through a visual examination, though there are other methods of detecting the presence of HPV, which is the underlying cause of the warts.  While the actual warts can be removed, no treatment of genital warts treats the HPV infection, so recurring outbreaks are likely.

The best way to prevent the transmission of genital warts is to avoid coming into contact with HPV.  Abstaining from sexual contact during an outbreak of genital warts will help reduce the risk of transmission.  However, it is possible to contract the HPV strain that causes the warts even when there isn't a visible outbreak.  As a result, the use of safe-sex practices, including using a latex condom, is recommended to help avoid exposure.  The Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine that can help protect against the HPV strains that cause genital warts.  The vaccine does not protect against all the strains that cause warts, so safe-sex practices are still important.

The presence of an HPV infection can be detected through certain tests that scan for the HPV DNA.  For women, a pap smear is used to screen for pre-cancerous cells forming on the cervix as a result of HPV.  If the genital warts are large enough, a doctor can diagnose them by visually examining them.  For smaller or subcutaneous warts, the doctor may apply acetic acid, which helps make them more visible.  This is not always an accurate test, but if the results indicate the presence of warts, precautions should be taken to prevent transmitting it to others.

Once contracted, there is no cure for HPV.  When an HPV infection results in the development of genital warts, it is possible to treat the break out.  Depending on the size of the warts and the severity of the outbreak, there are several treatment options doctors may prescribe.  For some outbreaks, the application of a topical cream may be prescribed.  Certain creams should not be used by pregnant women as they can cause birth defects.  Small warts may be physically removed through freezing, burning or laser treatments.  Larger warts may require surgery for removal.  Removal of the warts does not mean that the virus has been cured and outbreaks can reoccur.

There are more than 100 strains of the human papillomavirus, most of which are harmless though there are strains that can cause genital warts or cancer.  An HPV infection cannot be cured; the best way to prevent infection is to avoid contact with the virus.  The genital warts that appear as the result of certain strains of HPV can be treated as they occur.  Since genital warts can be transmitted at any time, safe-sex practices are always recommended.

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This article expires on August 12, 2014