|
Causes Of Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by sexual transmission of a virus called HPV. HPV is name of a group of viruses. There are more than 100 strains in this group. Type HPV 6 and 11 cause genital warts. HPV strain types (1, 2, and 3) cause warts on the neckline, chest, hands, feet and other parts of the body. Cancer of the cervix, external genitalia, and anus is caused by types 16 and 18. The type of strain that causes genital warts does not cause cancer.
Sexual contact transmits the HPV virus. Any kind of sexual contact can transmit the virus. Though the virus favors genitalia to mouth, in rare cases warts inside mouth are also seen. It is estimated that about two third of persons who have sexual contact with infected people get this condition.
After contracting the virus, warts may not develop for months or years. Some people may never develop genital warts. But these people are silent carriers of the virus. Those who have warts are prolific transmitters of warts. If genital warts are removed, the possibility of transmission reduces considerably.
People with lower immunity because of AIDS, organ transplantation, immune suppressive medications, cancer, or some other medications are more susceptible to get the virus
Other risk factors that increases the risk of contracting genital warts include tobacco and alcohol use, stress, other viral infections such as herpes at the same time and poor nutrition.
Article created on: July 16, 2006
|
|
|
|
