Health Resources

WARNING:GRAPHIC PICTURES:clip about getting genital warts, HPV, made for bio class. human sexuality

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Contagious diseases that are spread from one partner to the other during sexual intercourse are called as sexually transmitted diseases, or by their very popular anagram, STDs. STDs can affect anybody within the sphere of sexual population; hence it can be said that all STDs are global problems. Some of the very common STDs that are affecting the world population today are syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, Chlamydia infection, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and AIDS.

STDs are mainly transmitted due to penetrative sexual intercourse, i.e. when the man inserts his penis into the vagina of the female. But most of the STDs can also pass on during other types of sexual activities like oral sex and anal sex. The microorganisms causing these diseases could be viruses, bacteria or fungi and they can generally live in most of the body fluids. The chances of sexually transmitted diseases are very high when a person has sex with many partners, or has sex with a person who has many partners. Most STDs can be prevented by using a condom during any kind of sexual contact with a person of unknown sexual history.

Since there are many STDs, there are also many symptoms. Syphilis, which is also known as the French disease is diagnosable by the presence of button-sized warts called chancres near the genital area. These chancres could also develop on the anus and in the throat region. Gonorrhea is commonly known as the clap or the drip disease. With a gonorrheal infection, a person will have continuous mucus-like discharge from the penis or from the vulva. In people with genital herpes, there are blister-like ulcers developed around the genitals. With almost all STDs, there are urinary problems.

Prevention of STDs is mostly through abstinence. Out of all the sexually transmitted diseases in humans, only two of them â?? hepatitis A and hepatitis B â?? are preventable by vaccination, but the others arenâ??t. The best way of preventing them is then to limit the number of sexual partners, and to have sex only with people whose sexual history is properly known about. Using a condom is also a good option, but if the condom is used in the wrong way, then it may lead to an infection. Also, condoms are not guaranteed protection. Condoms can only prevent the penis from coming in touch with the skin of the other partner; but it cannot prevent the rest of the genital area from coming into contact. Syphilis sores which are present all around the genital area can be transmitted even after using a condom.

Once a person is sexually infected, it is very necessary that he/she stop all sexual activity. It is a moral responsibility of any person to check the further spread of the STD. Also the person must make it amply clear to his/her spouse that he/she is a victim of the infection. All STDs except AIDS are treatable and the treatment is much more effective if it is started at an early stage.

Treatment of STDs adopts several different ways depending on which is the cause of infection. In conditions like genital herpes, where there is no cure, the infection may last throughout the life of the person. Alarmingly, this disease is found among about half a million in the US alone. Chlamydia is another issue that requires constant screening to prevent from becoming an epidemic. Doctors surreptitiously check teens for such infections. Conditions like hepatitis A and hepatitis B are thought to be self-resolving with little medication.

One bigger concern with the sexually transmitted diseases is the large number of complications they can cause. Most of the STDs can cause impotence in men and infertility in women. Men could suffer from erectile dysfunctions, while both men and women can suffer from pain during urination and/or several abnormalities in the flow or urine. Add to that, there could be severe itching, pain, tenderness and blisters on the affected area. This could indeed make life miserable for the person as long as the STD lasts.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can cause severe liver problems in the long run. There could be cirrhosis of the liver, or liver cancer, both of which are fatal conditions. AIDS is the most dangerous of all sexual infections. It has no treatment yet, and the only option with this disease is death.

Sexually transmitted diseases are found more commonly among the sexually teen population of the developed countries. This population is generally ignorant about the repercussions of unsafe sex, and therefore indulges in it till it is too late. With age comes experience, and hence STDs are found to a lesser extent in the older population. Tourists are responsible for carrying STDs from one part of the globe to the other, and so also people who visit commercial sex workers are very much accountable.

Only proper education can control the problem of STDs. Governments of various nations are taking serious steps in eradicating the problem. School syllabi contain references of such diseases, and condoms are being freely distributed by charitable institutions to vulnerable populations.

Read more about the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other Secret Sexual Issues at http://www.mysecrethealth.com

STDs aka sexually transmitted diseases are spreading like wildfire. AIDS is already becoming a big worry. But in the western world, Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea etc are increasingly affecting more and more people. Most of these diseases cause long-term health and social problems. Quiz if you are the next candidate in line.

Quiz your knowledge

How much do you know about the symptoms of any of the STDs? Are you aware that many of them spread in stages and the first stage invariably shows very little symptoms? Do you know that your partner who looks clean may be shedding viruses? Do you know that even kissing can give you Gonorrhea? What about oral sex? If you think that only sex can cause STDs, you need to revisit your awareness. Oral sex can cause most of these sexually transmitted diseases.

Quiz your habits

What are your sexual habits? Do you find out about the past of your partner? Do you try to investigate if he/she had herpes or not? If not, you may get herpes. I am not painting a dismal picture but talking about the reality. A person who has genital Herpes may shed virus without showing any outward sign. How do you choose your partner? Are you careful about every single encounter? If not, you may fall in trouble. it is like crossing the road with eyes closed.

Please learn about the symptoms of all the STDs. please try to be with one partner for as long as possible. Please get tested at regular intervals. Please save yourself from STDs aka sexually transmitted diseases. Quiz yourself about all that I have discussed above and find out what needs to be corrected. Please do that to protect yourself.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advice and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for all your medical concerns. Please follow any information given in this article only after consulting your doctor or qualified medical professional. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from any information obtained from this article.

Sheryl has a nasty case of genital warts.

Education video about HPV and genital warts.

Duration : 0:2:7

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Warts are small rough lumps on the skin, and contrary to myth, they are not caused by touching, holding, or kissing a toad. Warts are caused by a viral infection in the outer skin layer called the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). They are a common skin condition that can affect virtually any part of the body.

Warts are most often transmitted from person-to-person contact. They are easy to identify and are most common on the hands and feet, however some can affect the face and other parts of the body. Warts are more common in children than in adults, although they can develop at any age.

Most warts will usually heal themselves within weeks or months, but some warts may take years to go away. This all depends on the immune system of the individual. Most warts are harmless; however they can be quite bothersome. Warts are also unattractive and embarrassing.

There are four main types of warts: common, flat, plantar and genital.

Common warts are rough, grayish brown dome-shaped growths that appear mostly on the hands; however they may appear elsewhere on the body.

Flat warts are usually found on the face, arms, or legs. These warts are named according to their physical description - they are flat on top and can be either pink, light brown or yellow in color.

Plantar warts are warts that appear on the soles, or plantar surface, of your feet. They are irritating and can feel like you have a permanent pebble in your shoe.

Genital warts are single or multiple lumps that appear on or around the genital area and are highly contagious. They have an irregular cauliflower-like surface. Genital warts are the most common symptoms of the Human Papilloma Virus.

Treatments For Warts:

There are various types of treatments available for warts. These treatments depend on the location of the warts, the age of the individual, and how long the warts have been present.

Over the counter treatments typically need several applications, and are only necessary if the warts are problematic. More extensive external warts are frequently treated directly with a variety of topical or surgical treatments. The warts are excised or cut off from the skin at the base.

Most warts are often cleared by the body without any treatment; however they can be treated depending on your individual symptoms and personal preferences. If you have warts that are rapidly multiplying then they should be treated. For the most part, warts are not usually all that serious a problem.

Alternative Names: Condyloma Acuminatum, Fig Wart, Moist Wart, Pointed Wart, Venereal Wart, Verruca Acuminata
Definition:
Genital warts are small, benign (harmless) growths caused by a viral infection i.e. Human papillomavirus, typically HPV 6 and HPV 11. A female with genital warts is at an increased risk for developing cervical cancer. Genital warts often occur in clusters and can be very tiny or can spread into large masses on genital tissues. If left untreated, genital warts often disappear.
Genital Warts are highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. Genital warts can be transmitted from one person to another and they can travel from one part of the body to another. They occur on the skin or the mucous membrane. The mucous membrane is tissue that lines the nose, throat, digestive tract, and other body openings.
Causes of Genital Wart:
Some important causes of genital wart are as:-

• The main cause of the genital wart is – Human papillomavirus, that infects the top layers of your skin.
• To some extent, excessive use of tobacco and alcohol, may lead to formation of genital warts.
• Premalignant and malignant cervical cancers in women, also increases the chances of occurring of genital wart.
• A person with sexual transmitted disease are more prone to get affected by genital wart.
• Genital wart, most commonly occurs in persons undergoing stress condition.
• In some cases, use of birth control pills, increased sexual contact without the use of barrier protection, multiple sex partners, and having sex at a early age, may lead to the condition of genital wart.
• About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with someone already having genital warts – develop genital warts very easily.

Symptoms of genital warts:
Some important symptoms of genital wart are as:-

• Difficulty may be experienced while swallowing food.
• During genital wart, you may have the difficulty in passing urine.
• The feeling of itching or burning around the sex organs, may be seen.
• An abnormal vaginal bleeding may occur in genital wart patient after sexual intercourse.
• Small fluid-filled blisters may occur, which can be very painful. With the first infection they can even take around 2 to 4 weeks to heal properly.
• When HPV infection remain for too long term, gives the indication of genital wart.
• Genital wart increases vaginal discharge.
• A flu-like illness, backache, headache, swollen glands or fever are the common symptoms during genital wart.
• The small white/yellow/gray bumpy spots may occur on the sex organs and anus.
• In some Chronic Cases, cervical cancer may also occur in genital wart suffering patients.

Treatments for Genital Warts:
Some effective treatments for genital wart are as:-

• Cryotherapy: It is a very suitable remedy for genital wart. In this treatment, doctor freeze off the wart with liquid nitrogen.
• Electrocautery or Diathermy physically destroys the warts by burning them. Local or general anaesthesia can be used.
• Imiquimod Cream: This cream helps in destroying genital wart.
• Podophyllin: It is a chemical compound that must be applied by a doctor or nurse to the affected area of the skin.
• Podofilox Cream or Gel: This is a self-applied treatment for external genital warts. It is easy to use and is safe, and should be applied for about 4 weeks.
• Fluorouracil Cream: It is used mainly to get rid of pain, that occur during intercourse.
• Surgical Excision: Your doctor may use special tools to cut off warts. You’ll need local anesthesia for this treatment.
• TCA (Trichloracetic Acid) is another chemical applied to the surface of the wart by a doctor or a nurse.
• Laser Therapy: During this treatment, warts are destroyed by introducing the laser light to the affected area. This is used for larger or extensive warts.