Understanding The Genital Wart Virus
The genital wart virus is correctly called the human papillomavirus or HPV. This genital wart virus is the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. It is believed that as much as 24 million people in the United States are infected with the genital wart virus and the incidence appears to be on the rise. Scientists have so far identified over sixty types of the genital wart virus. Some forms of the virus will cause the common skin warts instead of genital warts.
About one third of the genital wart virus types are spread through sexual contact. Some types of HPV can lead to genital warts which is the most recognizable sign of an HPV infection. Some forms of the genital wart virus have also been associated with the development of cervical cancer as well as other genital cancers.
However, as with other sexually transmitted diseases, an infection of the genital wart virus may not cause visible symptoms. About half of the people infection with the genital wart virus will have no obvious symptoms. Since the virus can remain latent in the skin an infected person may not be aware that they are infect and this can increase the risk of transmission to others as well as the risk of developing complications.
Diagnosis
If you think you have genital warts then you should see your doctor so that they can rule out or treat similar looking infections or conditions. Most of the time a doctor can diagnosis genital warts and the genital wart virus through a simple visual examination. If women have genital warts the doctor will likely also examine them for possible HPV infection of the cervix.
A pap smear test can indicate the possible presence of the genital wart virus. A pap smear is a microscopic examination of cells that are taken from the uterine cervix in order to detect cervical cancer. An abnormal pap smear test can indicate possible HPV infection. For women with abnormal pap smears a doctor will want to examine the woman further to detect and treat any cervical problems.
There are some new laboratory tests under development which can identify specific types of the genital wart virus. These test can soon help doctors to determine whether or not the infection will progress to the point of precancerous lesion or if it can be transmitted from a mother to her newborn baby during birth. These tests will make treatment quicker and easier in cases of genital warts.