Genital warts are fleshy growths that appear on or near the genitals. These warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with another infected party. Despite the availability of vaccines for these strands of HPV, there are still almost 9% of Singaporeans who have contracted the virus and could develop genital warts. The rampant spread of this virus boils down to its various attributes. In this article, we will explain why and how the virus spreads and its impact on the health of sexually active Singaporeans.

HPV and genital warts

One important characteristic of HPV is that it may not develop into genital warts for months after infection. This makes hard to find out if someone actually has HPV unless they get tested at an STD clinic in Singapore. Testing procedures will often require a pap smear screening (for women). The screening will help to determine which HPV strains are present in the cervix. For men, there is no test available unless genital warts have developed. Because of this, most people who have HPV do not know that they have contracted it. They may have unprotected sex with other partners and continue to spread the virus further. This is the main reason why HPV spreads between so many people. HPV spreads the most frequently among people who have multiple sexual partners, people who change their sexual partners frequently and people who have a weaker immune system.

Genital wart removal

While there is no cure for HPV, there are treatments to help you remove warts growing on your genitals, especially if they cause severe discomfort. Available at wart removal clinic is cryotherapy, or the process of freezing warts with liquid nitrogen. This will remove the growth from the body in one session. If a surgical procedure seems too extreme, the doctor may recommend topical creams to ease the pain and destroy the wart instead. It is important for all patients to see a doctor immediately if they notice growths on their genitals or anus, as early treatment would help with the pain of genital warts.

Protecting yourself from HPV

The risks of HPV can be a real headache for sexually active Singaporeans. Fortunately, there is a vaccine available for common strands of HPV. These vaccines can be obtained at any clinic that offers genital wart treatment. Singaporeans who have sex regularly should consider getting vaccinated. Vaccines are taken in three doses over a six-month period, so it is definitely better to get vaccinated now.

In addition, it is very important to always wear a condom during penetrative sex. This simple act can help to prevent the transfer of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) between partners. Having the habit of always wearing a condom is essential in protecting yourself and others from any STD.

Conclusion

In summary, HPV is an incurable virus that can cause genital warts. HPV can spread very rampantly as most people who have HPV do not know of their own status.