Condylomas acuminata, warts or wartsrepresent highly contagious lesions of the integument (not of the mucous membranes) with a flat appearance (in the same plane as the skin), or conopidiform, which can appear in various regions of the body after infectious contact with a sick person.
- Common or vulgar warts are caused by infection with strains 2 and 7 of the human Papilloma virus
- Warts plantation (from the sole) are caused by HPV strains 1,2,4 and 63
- Warts plate are caused by infection with strains 3 and 10 of the human Papilloma virus
- Anogenital vegetation are frequently caused by HPV strains 6, 11, 42 and 44.
content
What are genital warts?
Genital warts or genital warts it affects both women and men, being able to be located on the vulva, penis, scrotum or perianal region. In the case of women, the lesions caused by human Papilloma virus contracted during intimate contact can manifest themselves at the level of the vaginal mucosa and the cervix, associating a high risk of evolution towards cancer. Anal cancer due to HPV infection affects both women and men who practice unprotected anal sex with a sick person.
Anogenital condylomas it appears in the form of skin-colored growths, brown or pink, with an irregular furrowed surface that gives it the characteristic appearance of cauliflower. Due to the maceration that occurs in conditions of high humidity (specific to the genital area), the lesions may have a whitish appearance, being accompanied by itching, burning or pain when in contact with underwear.
Human Papilloma virus infection – risk factors
The main factors that increase the risk of HPV transmission and the occurrence of warts include:
- The number of sexual partners – the risk of contracting an infection with the human Papilloma virus increases directly proportional to the number of sexual partners.
- Age – genital warts appear especially in adolescents and young adults.
- The existence of a weakened immune system as a result of a deficiency born or acquired after an infection with HIV/AIDS.
- The existence of skin lesions or of the mucous membrane prior to the infectious contact – the continuity solutions from the integumentary level or of the vaginal, anal or oral mucosa favor the penetration of the virus into the body and the appearance of warts.
- Frequenting pools, swimming pools and saunas or sharing towels, razors or epilators with an infected person increases the risk of spreading infections caused by HPV.
Diagnosis of human Papilloma virus infection
The diagnosis of HPV infection is established by the gynecologist or dermatovenerologist depending on the location of the lesions caused by this pathogen.
In the case of women, genital lesions are observed during a routine gynecological examination, the doctor recommending the patient to perform a Pap test or a colposcopy to confirm the diagnosis of this type of infection.
In the case of men, the diagnosis is usually established by the dermatologist during the clinical examination based on the appearance of the lesions in the genital area without requiring additional investigations.
Appointment form
Lesions on the genital mucosa can be identified with the help of colposcopy in women and peniscopy in men, after the local application of an acetic acid solution by the gynecologist/dermatologist.
In addition to the Pap tests recommended for women for uterine cancer screening, the attending physician may recommend tissue sampling in case of identifying suspicious lesions of the genital mucosa that are later sent to the laboratory for phenotyping of the pathogenic viral agent.
Phenotyping is a procedure through which the doctor can obtain information about the oncogenic risk of the strain involved in the occurrence of lesions. The investigation involves the analysis of tissues taken by biopsy from the level of the lesions by the attending physician and allows the orientation of the patient’s therapeutic plan depending on the isolated strain.
Treatment of genital warts in women and men
The treatment of genital warts is always carried out in accordance with the indications of the dermatologist or gynecologist and may consist of:
- Local treatment by applying solutions based on imiquimod, podophyllotoxin or sinecatechins that destroy warts by chemical burning.
- Electrocautery or thermal destruction (through heat) of warts.
- Ablation laser – destruction of warts with the help of an intense light beam that generates heat.
- Cryotherapy – freezing the lesions by applying liquid nitrogen.
- Surgical excision – this type of treatment is reserved for people with an unsatisfactory response to the previously mentioned therapies and those with extensive and/or multiple lesions caused by HPV infection.
In the case of women with cervical changes caused by HPV, surgical excision may include classical, laser or diathermic conization to remove squamous cervical lesions that are associated with a high risk of malignancy.
Complications of untreated warts
The main complications that can occur during the evolution of an infection caused by the HPV human papilloma virus are represented by:
- Oral lesions which may include the tongue, soft palate and palatine tonsils and of the upper respiratory mucosa at the level of the larynx.
- Cervical cancer
- Anorectal cancer
- Oral cancer
- Laryngeal cancer.
How can genital warts be prevented?
Genital warts can be prevented by limiting the number of intimate partners, using protection during sexual intercourse and avoiding sharing personal items (towels, razors) with other people.
The anti-HPV vaccination can be carried out in both girls and boys before the start of sexual life, starting with the age of 9, to prevent the risk of cancers caused by infection with oncogenic strains of the human Papilloma virus. The European plan to fight cancer supports the efforts to expand the policy of vaccinating the young population against the Human Papillomavirus, the main objective being to vaccinate at least 90% of the target population of girls at the level of the European Union until the year 2030.
References:
2024-04-07 22:09:28
#Genital #warts #Human #Papilloma #virus
