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Sex Workers Resources
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Genital
Wart Infection
 Human Papillimoa Virus or HPV
This is the most common problem seen at the Sexual
Health Services Clinics in New Zealand.
In many people warts are on the genitals, (ie the
penis, anus vulvar, or vaginal areas), and are easily
recognised as fleshy lumps or bumps.
In others genital warts may be more difficult to
recognise and may require an expert's opinion. Others
may have the wart virus present in the genital area
without any outward sign of warts.
The wart virus only infects the outer laver of skin.
It is not carried in the blood and it does not grow
inside the body.
HOW AND WHEN DID I GET IT?
Genital wart virus is transmitted from person to
person by direct contact. In most cases this means
sexual contact between men and women, men and men, or
women and women. Genital wart virus may also be
transmitted by nonsexual means.
It is possible that some people are infected with the
virus at birth, or that others may have become
infected before they First have sex.
Obviously therefore, it is impossible to say when and
where you have caught the virtuosi It may have been
years ago or it could have been recently.
CAN I PASS IT ON?
Yes, you can pass on genital wart virus. We believe
that the chance of infection is greatest while there
are visible warts, and this is one of the reasons for
treatment. When the visible warts are gone there is
still a small risk of passing the virus to Others.
Many women have a smear test that suggests the
presence of genital wart virus without ever having
had obvious warts. We do not know conclusively
whether this can be passed on to others.
CAN YOU EVER GET RID OF WARTS OR THE WART VIRUS?
Visible genital warts can be created at the STD
clinic or your local GP. They will disappear although
this may take several treatments.
Your body's immune system can remove the virus on its
own or it may remain in a dormant state in the skin
for years
ARE THERE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GENITAL WARTS
VIRUS?
In men the presence of warts or the wart virus does
not seem associated with an increased cancer risk.
The main risk for men with genital warts is passing
on the virus to new sexual partners.
Therefore while warts are present on the genital skin
it would be wise to use condoms during sex.
In women the presence of certain types of genital
wart virus is associated with the increased risk of
an abnormal smear test. The majority of these changes
are minor and will require nothing more than regular
smear tests taken at yearly intervals
The presence of genital warts does not stop a couple
having children. In men who have sex With men and who
are HIV positive and have genital warts, annual
checks of the genital skin are recommended.
SHOULD I USE CONDOMS?
Opinion is divided as to the usefulness of condoms in
preventing the spread of genital wart virus.
Condoms can prevent the transmission of genital wart
virus but most importantly other STDs if used during
sex. However the virus may be present in the genital
areas not protected by a condom so chat the spread of
the virus is still possible even when using condoms.
At this clinic we recommend that you use a condom
while there are visable warts present, and that a
condom is used with all new and or casual partners.
SO WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE GENITAL WARTS?
Don't Panic!!! People often feel dirty and may have
negative feelings about themselves when they are cold
they have genital warts.
Remember the genital wart virus is very common and
anyone can get it.
It does not mean that you are promiscuous or unclean.
Stop smoking. Yes, smoking can lower our immune
system so that our bodies cannot remove the wart
virus.
Get all visible warts created at your local, STD
Clinic or GP.
Use condoms during sex while you have visible warts
or always with new or casual partners.
Women should have a cervical smear test done once a
year.
Finally if you have more questions about warts don't
hesitate to ask the doctor, nurse, or health adviser
at the Sexual Health Services Clinic.
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