the Transmission and Prevention of Genital Warts - Surgery

Dr. Huang Zhihui reply Surgery

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1.
The transmission route of genital warts (condylomata acuminata) is primarily through sexual intercourse.
During sexual activity, minor abrasions may occur, allowing HPV to enter through these small wounds and reach the basal layer of the epidermis at the site of epithelial damage.
HPV has also been detected in the semen of male patients with genital warts, and studies indicate that warm, moist environments facilitate viral infection.
Genital warts around the anal region in adults are often associated with anal intercourse.
Warts located on the oral mucosa may be transmitted through oral sex.
HPV can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her offspring during childbirth, although only a small percentage of children develop respiratory papillomatosis, which explains the cases of "children with warts in the respiratory tract" that have occurred in Taiwan.
2.
How can genital warts be prevented? Prevention is better than treatment; it is essential to avoid abnormal sexual relationships and using condoms is the most basic protective measure.
If infected, immediate treatment should be sought, and sexual activity should be avoided until treatment is completed to prevent transmission to others.
If warts recur, it may indicate a recurrence or reinfection, so sexual partners should also be examined, and if lesions are found, they should receive prompt treatment.
Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection.
Treatment methods are not very complicated, but recurrence or reinfection is common.
Due to the ease of transmission during sexual intercourse, careful consideration is crucial, and the consistent use of condoms should be emphasized.
If infected, immediate treatment is necessary, as it is associated with cancer development, particularly cervical cancer, so one should not be complacent.
In moist environments, warts are more likely to grow.
If the male foreskin is infected, recurrence is more likely; if not treated promptly, large warts may be observed during a clinic visit.
Therefore, it is important to maintain local dryness and cleanliness.
If the foreskin is affected, circumcision is recommended.
3.
Personal clothing should be washed separately, and sharing washing machines should be avoided.
If the fabric can withstand high temperatures, boiling is recommended.
As for utensils, if warts develop in the mouth due to oral sex, utensils should also be separated and preferably sterilized at high temperatures; however, if only the genital area is infected, transmission through utensils is unlikely.
4.
Warts located at the anal opening or the corners of the mouth may result from oral or anal intercourse.
The skin surface affected by warts will have granular protrusions, which may appear as a single small wart or multiple lesions of varying sizes in different areas.
The affected area is usually painless, but there may be occasional itching or yellow vaginal discharge.
5.
From your question, it is unclear how many times this is a recurrence, but if it is a recurrence, it often occurs in the same location.
Prior to recurrence, there may be localized itching, burning, or tingling sensations.
Typically, recurrences happen within 1-4 months after the initial lesions resolve, and the frequency of recurrences varies among individuals, with most experiencing 5-8 times a year, while a few may have 1-2 times a month or once every 1-2 years.
Thus, the virus likely remains dormant in the body, waiting for an opportunity to reactivate.
6.
Currently, there is no medication that can definitively cure genital warts within a specified time frame.
Since treatments for genital warts require long-term use and can be expensive, coupled with the relatively minor physical harm caused by the condition, patients often settle for symptomatic relief rather than a complete cure.
Some medications (including both Western and traditional medicine) can effectively control the outbreaks of genital warts, and with long-term use, most individuals can ultimately eliminate recurrences.
The activity of the wart virus diminishes after one year, and combined with the effects of medication, achieving a cure is not difficult.

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Reply Date: 2009/09/16