Thursday, January 14, 2010

What To Do To Prevent And Treat Genital Warts?


Susan asked the doctor if there were any medications she could take to relieve her genital wart symptoms. The doctor told her to avoid over the counter medications and to stick with prescription medications. The most common prescription medications used to treat genital warts are Podofilox, imiquimod and TCA.

Podofilox is available as liquid or gel form. This medication works by killing the genital wart tissue. You can use it at home, and it has been effective in about 65% of the cases where it has been used. However, in the case of a pregnant woman treating genital warts, Podofilox can be harmful and may cause birth defects. 
Her doctor also suggested a cream containing imiquimod. This is another genital wart remedy remedy that you can apply yourself at home. Imiquimod medications often cost more than Podofilox, and are known to be safer. Imiquimod fights genital warts by helping your immune system. It has been proven effective in about half of the cases where it has been used.

Another medication Susan’s doctor told her about was TCA, or trichloracetic acid, which is a remedy that must be performed at the doctor's office. It is a caustic agent, and can be harmful to the skin so it cannot be used at home. The doctor puts TCA directly on the warts which kills them. TCA is considered the most effective of the three treatment methods, but because it requires weekly trips to your doctor until the warts are gone, it is inconvenient.

There is also a medical procedure that can be used to treat genital warts together with a prescription medicine. This is alpha interferon, an anti-viral that is injected into the wart tissue. It is expensive and is not effective in preventing further wart outbreaks.

Susan asked the doctor about holistic, herbal or homeopathic remedies. The doctor told her to check at her local health store or on the internet because he was not familiar with these types of genital wart treatments. Susan went home, and started searching on the internet for natural remedies to treat genital warts.
She came upon the Wartrol website and decided that the Wartrol Homeopathic Genital Wart Relief Formula was the right solution for her.  She immediately ordered a sample and right away started to feel better.  Wartrol helped Susan relieve her genital wart symptons quickly and easily with no side effects.

Latest Genital Wart Research

Researchers know that genital warts (condylomata acuminata or venereal warts) and herpes virus, influenza, warts, measles, canker sores (cold sores) are anaerobic - they cannot exist in an elevated oxygen environment., Influenza, Herpes, Warts, Measles, Canker Sores (Cold Sores) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are anaerobic. HPV and herpes viruses exist and proliferate with little or no oxygen present. With increased cellular oxygen levels these anaerobic diseases cannot replicate or exist.
A vaccine called Gardasil is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. Gardisil is used on girls and young women ages 13 to 26 to help prevent HPV. Genital warts is a form of HPV.

Anyone who is allergic to yeast or other ingredients of Gardasil, should not receive the vaccine. The manufacture states that… "Gardasil should not be used by pregnant women. Gardasil does not treat cervical cancer or genital warts. Gardasil may not fully protect everyone, and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer. It is extremely important to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. Gardisil will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV."

According to the FDA, there is no danger in using the HPV vaccine Gardasil.The side effects may include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Gardasil is given in 3 injections over a 6 month period.

The vaccine is being tested on men with HPV to see if they develop penile or anal cancer, and it is believed that this vaccine may help prevent these types of cancer in men the same way it helps to prevent cervical cancer in women. Research shows that there is a possibility that giving the vaccine to men infected with HPV may help keep it from spreading to women. These studies are being carried out now. If the latest research finds the vaccine to be effective in treating men that are infected with HPV, the vaccine could dramatically reduce the spread and health effects of the HPV virus including genital warts.

What Works Best

Taking precautions to protect yourself from getting HPV and genital warts is the best solution.  Avoid unprotected sex. Wartrol Homeopathic Genital Wart Formula is a safe, easy and effective natural remedy to treat and relieve your genital wart symptoms.       

Sources:



Andrew Flok - About the Author:
Andrew is a young entrepreneur, affiliate on a prestigious health innovative company, eager to unveil to the public alternative treatment methods for some of the most often day by day problems. Some of his studies are about: Genital Warts relief, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol control and Hair Loss treatment.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

New HPV Study Prompts Consumer Fears, Questions

A new study that was published by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and that was based upon facts and reports that were released for 2010 by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), has spurred some fears about the newest vaccine for HPV for young girls, Gardisol, and others that are currently in the making.

The study, which was published in the popular on National Science Foundation’s website (at: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=116186&org=NSF&from=news), cites as follows.

“A new study concludes that people tend to match their risk perceptions about policy issues with their cultural values, which may explain the intense disagreement about proposals to vaccinate elementary-school girls against human-papillomavirus (HPV). The study also says people's values shape their perceptions of expert opinion on the vaccine.

HPV is a widespread disease that, when sexually transmitted, can cause cervical cancer. In October of 2009, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that the vaccine be given to all girls ages 11 or 12. However, the recommendation has been mired in controversy, and so far adopted in only one state and the District of Columbia.

An online experiment involving more than 1,500 U.S. adults reveals that individuals who have cultural values that favor authority and individualism perceive the vaccine as risky, in part because they believe it will lead girls to engage in unsafe sex. But individuals with cultural values that favor gender equality and pro-community/government involvement in basic health care are more likely to see the vaccine as low risk and high benefit.

The study was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and is being published online this week in the journal Law and Human Behavior. It found that people exposed to unattributed, balanced information about HPV vaccines tended to produce something called "biased assimilation," a phenomenon in which culturally-identifiable groups draw opposing conclusions and become more divided rather than less divided as they consider evidence.

But when biased assimilation was compared to another survey result, researchers were surprised. "An even bigger effect for all subjects was the perceived values of experts," said Yale University law professor Dan Kahan referring to another part of the experiment in which arguments about the vaccine were matched with fictional experts.

Researchers designed fictional, but culturally identifiable advocates to be seen by respondents as holding opposing and culturally distinct values. The researchers devised the "advocates" to be seen as holding pro-authority and individualistic, or pro-community and pro-equality worldviews.

When views about HPV vaccines came from sources respondents believed shared their values, individuals tended to be more willing to accept the information. But when it came from an expert whom they perceived held values different from theirs, the information was not accepted. In the first instance, respondents perceived the experts to have cultural credibility and trustworthiness, but when respondent values differed from the experts, the experts were perceived to lack cultural credibility.”


Will there ever be hope for a real vaccine for HPV that works effectively to defeat and combat all forty some-odd identified strains that cause cervical cancer in women and that can grow into genital warts and anal warts in both men and women?

Furthermore, we ask, what about men?

When will there, if ever, be an HPV vaccination for men?

Have we all been left out in the dust?


Currently there are few treatment options, and there are not even really tests for HPV in men.

However, there are ways that you can naturally boost your body’s immune system by using daily supplements and HPV holistic remedies that may not entirely eradicate the virus, but that can send it packing its bags into nearly permanent remission by allowing your body to naturally clear the virus.

Learn more about a brand new and revolutionary natural remedy for HPV by Clicking Here!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Home Remedies to Never Try


Look, when it comes to hand warts, warts on your elbows, your knees, the soles of your feet, you can go ahead and cry whatever crazy concoction you may have read about on the internet. A few of those home remedies are sort of effective, and most of them don’t work, but you at least don’t stand to hurt yourself in the process of self-medicating your HPV infection.

But… when it comes to genital HPV, we can only recommend, in good conscience, real medical attention. Still, if you insist on getting your HPV treatment advice from the big book of home remedies or some such, we urge you to at least consider the following… and strike them right off the list of possible home remedies…

Foodstuffs

One of the more popular home remedies for common warts is to apply certain things from the kitchen to the infected area. You can tape a piece of garlic to a wart, dip it in vinegar, or soak it in salt water. Surprisingly, some of this stuff kind of actually works. Foods with incredibly high acidic content do, in fact, have what it takes to burn away at warts.

…And that’s exactly why you should never apply these foods to your genitals. Your hands, your feet, they can handle “spicy foods”, but putting garlic on your nether regions is no safer, and no smarter, than rubbing it in your eyes. If you’re looking for home remedies, stay out of the kitchen.

Home Surgery

Most people wince at the very idea of trying to surgically excise their own warts. Some doctors will treat hand warts with a pair of sterilized surgical scissors. It’s quick, relatively painless, and most importantly; performed in a sterile, medical environment.

If your HPV infection is severe enough that you’re even contemplating a solution this dangerous and crazy, then it’s severe enough to go see your physicist. You’re not a surgeon, don’t operate on yourself.

Footcare Products

You can get rid of plantar warts with relative ease with a hot footbath and a corn remover, but the very thought of applying the same treatment to genital warts is enough to make any rational person’s hair stand on end. Yes, it is just as painful and as ineffective as you’d guess.

In martial arts, a lot of movements are designed to keep the feet and hands in the heat of the action, and the head and genitals well outside of the action. This is because your feet and hands are the toughest parts of your body, and your head and genitals are the most vulnerable. You wouldn’t wear shoes in place of underwear, so don’t use a plantar wart removal method on your more sensitive parts.

Conclusion…

If you think what we’re saying here is “Don’t use any home remedies to take care of genital warts”, you’re absolutely correct. Trying to treat genital warts yourself can result in scarring, loss of sensitivity due to nerve damage, or worse. Just don’t do it. If you think you have genital HPV, see a doctor. Genital HPV is not a problem you can solve with a simple home remedy.

Michelle Anderson - About the Author:
HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV. We are dedicated to helping you. For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.


Monday, January 11, 2010

New Guidelines for Pap Smears Released for Women

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has released some important 2010 guidelines for Pap Smears that we all think you should be aware of—especially since the HPV virus can lead to cervical cancer in women, and getting regular pap smears is crucial to preventing cervical cancer. To better help you stay informed about this we have cited, directly from their website (http://www.acog.org/) their guidelines.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2010 Guidelines for Pap Smears, as cited from their website:

•The new guidelines state that all Pap smears can begin at age 21. This is a subtle change from the previous recommendation, which had screening begin by age 21 or one to three years after the onset of sexual activity. The change represents the low incidence of cancer in youths. Abnormal Pap smears and cervical dysplasia do occur in the adolescent. All sexually active adolescents should still have an appointment with a pediatrician or gynecologist to be screened for sexually transmitted diseases and have safe sex counseling and discussion about contraception.

•Cytology screening should be performed every two years for women ages 21-29 under the new guidelines. For women 30 and older, the Pap smear might be performed every three years if there are three consecutive normal Pap smears. These recommendations don't apply to high-risk women such as those who are HIV-positive or immunosuppressed. Despite these recommendations for the cervical cytology screening, there are still many reasons an annual exam should occur. Often during the annual exam, other health issues are addressed.

•The screening may cease at ither age 65 or 70 if there are three or more normal Pap smears leading up to that age, and no abnormal Pap in the past 10 years. For women who have had a hysterectomy for benign disease, the Pap smear may cease if there is no previous history of cervical dysplasia. This group of patients needs to have a discussion with their doctor. Many women have had hysterectomies but the cervix is still present. For those individuals, Pap smears would continue to at least age 65 to 70.

•There are several high risk factors associated with cervical cancer. The first is lack of screening - in 50 percent of cervical cancer cases, cytology screening has never been done. In another 10 percent of cases, screening had not been done for five years before diagnosis. Other risk factors include human papillomavirus infection, smoking, early onset of sexual activity, multiple sexual partners and being HIV positive.

If you do find out that you have had an abnormal pap smear and you are infected with HPV, consider some all natural solutions for treating HPV.

Learn more by Clicking Here!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

5 Myths and Misconceptions About Genital Warts


Genital warts are one of the most widely spread sexually transmitted diseases, but a lot of people still lack the knowledge regarding the nature of the said condition, how it is spread, and how to prevent or treat it. Clear, reliable, and updated information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts is hard to find. The result of this unfortunate reality is the non-stop circulation of myths and misconceptions about genital warts.

Wrong information may bring about a lot of physical and emotional negative consequences to the sufferer. The person may suffer from extreme anxiety regarding his/her condition, undergo a painful and costly treatment method that otherwise could have been avoided.

Here are the most common myths and misconceptions to make readers understand what HPV and genital warts are.

Myth #1: Only women can be infected with HPV and contract genital warts.

Fact: The probability of getting infected with HPV and having genital warts is more or less the same for both sexes. However, genital warts symptoms seem to manifest more on women since their anatomy is a conducive breeding ground for HPV compared to that of men. The moist and warm environment of a woman's vagina makes it a prime location for the HPV to thrive in and multiply.

Myth #2: I can only get infected with genital warts through unprotected sex.

Fact: There is no doubt that engaging in unprotected sex raises your chances of being infected with HPV. The virus can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Hence, some forms of barrier protection such as condoms won't completely shield you against several STDs since they do not cover the whole genital region. HPV can also be spread through oral sex, manifesting in the form of warts in the throat and mouth areas. In addition, studies have shown that the virus can be passed on through direct contact with fomites, which are contaminated physical objects like bath towels and medical equipment.

Myth #3: The appearance of genital warts is the only thing that indicates their presence.

Fact: HPV, when spread, can remain in an incubation phase that can last from as fast as a couple of weeks to as long as several years. Hence, the symptoms of genital warts will most likely not appear immediately. In fact, a carrier of HPV may forever remain unaware that the virus is still within his/her system. Experts estimate that only approximately 1 percent of all sexually active Americans have visible genital warts.

Myth #4: Genital warts automatically lead to cervical cancer.

Fact: A different strain of HPV causes genital warts. These HPV strains are completely not linked to those that are known to cause cervical cancer, specifically types 45, 31, 18, and 16. Genital warts are caused by low-risk HPV strains, namely 44, 43, 42, 11, and 6.

Myth #5: If I have had genital warts, I will most definitely experience recurrent episodes for the rest of my life.

Fact: There are some cases wherein genital warts recur. However, they do so in different levels of persistence. However, if the immune system becomes compromised through temporary trauma such as stress, surgery, or serious illness, or through the intake of certain drugs, it may not be able to stop the reactivation of HPV so genital warts may resurface.

W. Darren - - About the Author:
For more information, kindly visit Genital Warts Support Team - a health resource dedicated to providing factual information about Genital Warts. Don't miss out the useful topics: "Prevention of Genital Warts", "Are Genital Warts Curable?" and more.


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Genital Warts are Caused by the Human Papilloma Virus


Genital warts is one of the two most commonly spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) caused by a virus. The other is genital herpes. The disease is caused by the human papilloma virus often abbreviated as hpv.

The wart like lesions that appear with this STD are called condyloma acuminate.  They look like small, flesh colored growths in the genital and anal region.  Research indicates that 10-40% of women who are sexually active are infected with hpv.  Both men and women can transmit and receive the virus and the presence of the hpv is not always accompanied by the appearance of genital warts. 

Routes of Transmission

Genital warts are spread through direct contact with an infected person during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. Approximately sixty percent of people who have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts will develop symptoms themselves, usually within three months of the encounter.

The human papilloma virus penetrates through tiny abrasions in the genital area that occur during sexual activity. Once the virus is in the body it become latent or inactive for several weeks, months, or sometimes even years. Typically it takes about three months for the first symptoms to appear, but it could take much longer or much less time.

Penetrating sex is not necessary for the spread of hpv. Studies have proven that sexual contact of any kind with an infected person can spread the virus. An infected person is able to spread the virus to a non-infected partner even when there is no outward or visible signs of genital warts.

In rare cases, adults or children may be infected indirectly. For example, using an infected person's towel can cause an infection if rubbed against the genitals. Also, babies may be infected through a vaginal delivery of a mother with genital warts.

HPV, the cause of Genital Warts

There are more than 100 different types of the human papilloma  virus, and over 40 of these can infect the genitals through sexual contact. These specific strains of HPV are highly contagious. Because of the long incubation period, many people may be unaware that they are infected and continue to spread the virus through sexual contact.

Genital Warts Symptoms

The most common genital warts symptoms are the appearance of the warts themselves. Generally they are painless but might cause irritation and itching depending on their size and location. It is not uncommon to develop the warts in more than one area.

In men specifically, genital warts can infect the urethra, scrotum, penis, and rectal areas. The warts will appear as soft, smooth, raised masses when on the penile shaft. Or, they can appear as anal warts, in which the growth is rough and protruding. The lesions will be raised, and only rarely will they appear flat with just a slight elevation above the skin.

In women, genital warts symptoms may not be noticeable if the warts are located inside the vagina where they are undetectable. However, the lesions most commonly occur in the labia minora and around the vaginal opening. Many times no symptoms at all are experienced aside from the appearance of growths (warts). In rare cases, women may experience bleeding following sexual intercourse when infected with HPV.

Genital Warts Treatment

As is the case with most viruses, there is no genital warts treatment that will completely get rid of the lesions or the hpv. The warts can be controlled, but the viral infection cannot be not cured. Prescription medications and topical creams are the most frequently used methods of treatment.

Small warts can be removed by means of laser surgery, cryosurgery (freezing), or electrocautery (burning). Application of various acids and resins may also be used. These genital wart treatments require several sessions and removal is not a permanent solution since it cannot prevent spreading of the human papilloma virus.  It genital warts are removed by any of these methods more lesions can still occur in the future.

Complications

The main complications of HPV infection are the development of cancerous lesions. Some forms of HPV can cause anal and/or penis cancer in men, and cervical cancer in women.

Prevention

Research is currently being conducted on vaccines that may protect against infection of HPV infection and one vaccine  (Gardisil) is now available for women. This vaccine protects against some of the strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer but cannot treat genital warts or cervical cancer once they have developed.

The only sure way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, genital warts included, is to avoid direct contact with the causative organism, in this case the human papilloma virus.

For most STDs the use of a condom creates the barrier necessary to prevent the transmission of the pathogen.  However, this appears not to be the case for genital warts as the virus can infect areas not covered by the condom. The Center for Disease Control advises that the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.  Restricting sexual activity to a monogamous relationship with a person confirmed to be "HPV free" would be advisable.

Beverly OMalley - About the Author:
Beverly Hansen OMalley is a nurse who is passionate about health promotion. Visit www.registered-nurse-canada.com where Bev explores the uniqueness of the nursing profession in Canada including comparison of nurse salary across the country, preparation for the Canadian nursing entrance test and how to become a nurse in Canada if you graduated in another country.


Friday, January 8, 2010

4 Myths and Misconceptions of Genital Warts


The human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes genital warts, is very prevalent. Hundreds of millions of people around the globe develop genital warts every year. According to health experts, one of the main reasons why many people contract the infection is because many people lack clear, concise, and updated information about HPV.

Inadequate information dissemination regarding the signs and symptoms, causes, risks, treatment, complications, and prevention measures on genital warts leads to increased prevalence of the disease.

Unfortunately, inaccurate information about HPV infection makes the condition worse. That is why a clear understanding of genital warts should be promoted. Such campaign should start with tackling the most common myths and misconceptions about genital warts and HPV. Below are some of the examples.

Myth No. 1:

Only women are prone to have HPV infection and develop genital warts

Genital warts are very common around the globe. Any person who is sexually active is likely to develop genital warts. HPV infection chooses no gender or age. Both men and women can have HPV and genital warts. However, pregnant women are more susceptible to have severe symptoms.

Moreover, women infected with HPV are more likely to have visible symptoms of genital warts than infected men. This is primarily because the moist environment of the vulva and the vagina provides a more dynamic venue for the breeding and multiplication of the virus.

Myth No. 2:

A person can only have genital warts if he engages in unprotected sex.

Genital warts are sexually transmitted infections. You can get infected with HPV primarily if you have unprotected sex. However, you can also get genital warts through skin contact.

Even if you did not engage in penetrative sexual intercourse, anal sex, or oral sex, you can still get the infection primarily if direct contact has been made to the genitalia. If you share your sex toys with someone who is infected with HPV, you are also highly at risk for developing the infection.

Myth No. 3:

Condoms can protect you from genital warts

Although condoms can provide you with some form of protection against HPV transmission, there is still a high possibility of developing genital warts. Since genital warts are viral, they can easily spread through direct skin contact. So even if you wear condoms while having sexual intercourse with an HPV infected person, the virus can still be transmitted since the condom does not cover the entire male genitalia.

Myth No. 4:

If there are no visible genital warts, that means you are not infected with HPV

Not everyone who is infected with the HPV develop visible signs and symptoms. In fact, only one percent of the HPV infected population has genital warts. Among the people with genital warts, not all warts appear in the exterior part of the genital and anal areas. Instead, most genital warts develop inside the vulva, the urethra, and the anus.

Also, when HPV has been transmitted, signs and symptoms do not appear automatically. Genital warts may develop only after the incubation phase. This incubation period varies from person to person. Some only take three weeks while others take two years so someone who has the infection may not be aware of it.

W. Darren - - About the Author:
For more information, kindly visit Genital Warts Support Team - a health resource dedicated to providing factual information about Genital Warts Treatment. Don't miss out the useful topics: 1. "What Are Genital Warts?", 2. "Symtoms of Genital Warts" and more.