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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.

See also:
... what genital warts are. Often considered to be their own type is venereal warts which are the same as genital warts and aren’t their own genital warts types. All genital warts types are contracted through sexual contact. They can be spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex if one person is infected. In rare cases genital warts types can ...
Understanding Genital Warts Types

Diagnosis

See also:
... appear inside the vagina, next to the urethra and on the lips of the vulva. Genital warts ...
Find Out if You Have Early Stages of Genital Warts

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.

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