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GENITAL WARTS

Genital Warts are a viral infection passed by skin-to-skin contact with a person with the infection, usually during sexual intercourse. The warts are small, painless, cauliflower-like bumps that grow and spread around the genitalia and rectum. There may be slight itching, burning or irritation, especially if many warts are present. Warts can also be present in areas not immediately visible, including the vagina, cervix, urethra and rectum.

The virus responsible for genital warts, the Human Papilloma Virus, has been linked with abnormal pap smears and even cancer of the cervix in women. Therefore, if a woman has been exposed to the wart virus by a sexual partner, it is important for her to be examined. Some researchers feel the virus can also cause penile cancer in males.

Genital warts can be treated and removed by several methods:

• Burning them off by chemicals (some of which can be applied by prescription, at home, such as Podofilox or Condylox), electric current or lasers.
• Freezing them off with liquid nitrogen.
• Topical antiviral agents like imiquimod (Aldara).
• Minor surgery (if other methods are unsuccessful).

Since genital warts are viral and the virus can still be present with no visible warts, many experts feel genital warts cannot be cured. Even if warts are not visible, there is still a chance that the virus can be passed along to a sexual partner.

PREVENTION:

The only way to insure that you won't get genital warts or another sexually transmitted disease (STD) is to abstain from sex. However, there are several ways to decrease your chances of getting or spreading genital warts or other sexually transmitted diseases:

Use Condoms: Use of a latex condom decreases the risk of getting or spreading STD's, including genital warts. Condoms are available at the SHS pharmacy without a prescription.

Know Your Partner: The more partners you have, the greater your risk of getting an STD. Don't have close contact with a person until you know about their history and their health. After abstaining, the least risky sexual practice is to find one faithful and uninfected partner.

Don't Use Alcohol or Drugs in Potentially Intimate Situations: If your judgment is impaired, the chance of making a bad decision about sex is much higher.

Get Regular Check-ups: Anyone having sex should be tested regularly. Remember that STDs often have no symptoms. The only way to be sure is to be checked.

CSUB STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE: 654-2394 mjh 3/92, revised 2004

9001 Stockdale Highway Bakersfield, California 93311 (661) 654-2394 Fax: (661) 654-3301