Occurrence of genital warts
Genital warts are also called genital warts and typically occur in the genital and anal area. In women, the labia, vaginal entrance and cervix are mainly affected. In men, they usually affect the foreskin, the glans and the penis shaft.
Since genital warts are transmitted by smear infection, they can also occur on other parts of the body. Oral mucosa, throat or the nipple region are then preferably affected. If the human papilloma viruses are transmitted from the genital area of the mother to the baby during birth, this can result in the baby developing in nodules similar to cow’s nipples in the area of the trachea and larynx.
Infection
Papilloma viruses are mainly transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. However, the viruses can also be transmitted through other forms of skin contact. Bathing together or visiting a sauna are among the possible sources of transmission, but are extremely rare.
Human papilloma viruses can also be transmitted from a mother to her child during birth. In this case, the pathogens of genital warts are transmitted from the mother’s intimate area to the baby. As a result, the infant can develop the so-called juvenile laryxpapillomatosis. This manifests itself in skin growths similar to genital warts in the area of the larynx and the windpipe, which can lead to swallowing difficulties, coughing and breathing noises.
Therapy
In most cases, the affected person can treat genital warts themselves after the diagnosis by a doctor. The doctor prescribes a medication to treat the warts. This is either podophyllotoxin, which leads to the death of the virus-infected cells, or imiquimod, which activates the body’s own defense system and leads to increased control of the wart pathogens.
The prescribed product must be applied regularly to the affected area for several weeks. In some cases, such treatment is not feasible, for example, if the genital warts occur inside the body.In such cases, the doctor applies trichloroacetic acid to the affected areas at weekly intervals using a cotton swab, causing the genital warts to disappear. It is also possible to freeze the genital wart locally with liquid nitrogen.
This is also done by dabbing the nitrogen onto the affected area with a cotton swab. These two procedures can be painful, so it may be necessary for the doctor to anesthetize the area locally beforehand. This depends on the site, the number and size of the genital warts.
If the genital warts reappear after the treatment, surgical therapy may be necessary in the long run. The genital warts can either be removed with a sharp, small spoon (curettage) or they can be destroyed by heat with the application of a laser. Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia. These procedures keep the risk of recurrence of genital warts very low.