Tag: Viruses

The Facts About Warts And Cervical Cancer

There are many varieties of warts, and many strains of the virus that causes them. In the instance of warts which can lead to cervical cancer, too much of the American population has too much misinformation. This leads many people to be in a panic, and this panic is unnecessary.

The first, and most important fact, is that the general types of warts which many people have are not a factor. The plantar warts which appear on the feet, for example, are not a casual factor in later cervical cancer, because they do not contain the specific strains of the virus which leads to cervical cancer.

Another misconception is many people are not aware of the fact that the childhood disease commonly known as chicken pox is also not relevant to later cervical cancer, as it too does not possess that strain of the virus.

The bottom line is that the specific strains of human papilloma virus which can lead to cervical cancer are sexually transmitted. When a person becomes infected with this virus through sexual contact with an infected person, the warts will usually develop. Not developing these warts is not a sign that one has not contracted the virus, as many can be symptom-free even if the virus is present in their system. An outbreak of genital warts, however, is a visible sign that one is infected. In such an instance, even if a person has the warts removed by a professional, the virus is still in one’s system.

Approximately seventy percent of cervical cancers are caused by approximately ten different strains of the human papilloma virus. There are more than thirty strains of this virus which are sexually transmitted, but they are not all cancer-causing viruses. Currently, there are a number of methods available in aiding one’s resistance against the genital warts, but none are one-hundred-percent effective, and some contain their own risks.

One is the new drug called Gardasil. In many areas, Gardasil being administered by vaccine is already in practice. It has been stated that the reason for giving this vaccine to little girls as young as nine years of age is to ensure protection against the genital warts and the particular strains of the cancer-causing virus before the girls become sexually active. One negative repercussion to this practice is that the vaccine has not been researched enough to ensure its safety, and a number of young girls have already died from receiving it. Another repercussion is that such a vaccine can promote early sexual activity.

Another method used to protect against genital warts are condoms. This is not effective, because regardless of the exact placement of the wart or cluster of warts, the virus is not localized solely to that particular point. The virus is not only in the wart or wart cluster itself, it is frequently also on the surrounding skin areas.

The main risk factors associated with genital warts are: beginning sexual activity at a young age; having multiple sexual partners; and not being aware of whether one’s partner is infected, whether he actually has visible warts or not. In other words, indiscriminate sexual activity is the number-one risk factor in acquiring genital warts, and, in women, the potential of cervical cancer. While plantar warts and the other common varieties are difficult enough in themselves, they are not related to the genital warts that can lead to cervical cancer.

How to Deal with Juvenile Warts

Juvenile warts require more than the simple treatment that is required for warts on adults. Children can, unfortunately, be cruel. They also find it hard to leave warts alone. Therefore, additional remedies may be required to deal with juvenile warts.

Juvenile warts are actually flat warts. They are often called juvenile warts because they occur most often on children and young adults. These warts may appear white, brown, or yellow. They can be itchy or sting slightly if touched often. They are called flat warts because they have a flat top.

Juvenile warts are caused by the human papaloma virus. There are actually sixty strains of the virus, and it is contagious. Many children will experience juvenile warts because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight these viruses. However, some children may go their entire lives without having a single wart.

Because juvenile warts are contagious there are steps that must be taken to protect the child as well as other children. The warts may spread to other parts of the body if touched frequently. Since juvenile warts are often seen on the face or hands, it is easy to spread them to other areas of the body, or to other children.

To protect the child and other children, the warts should be covered. Covering with a band aid is not recommended, however. Warts thrive in warm, damp places on the body. A cluster of warts may occur if the original wart is covered with a band aid, which will insulate the wart and cause the virus to spread within that area.

There are many over the counter medicated treatments available for juvenile warts. These treatments involve a small, round, band aid like covering. The pad of the covering contains medication with acids that eat at the wart and cause it to disappear faster. The covering also helps the child to leave it alone, and prevents other children from touching the wart.

Juvenile warts cause more than physical discomfort. When juvenile warts are present, children often feel ugly, and their self worth drops considerably. Other children may compound these feelings with teasing and harmful remarks and pranks.

Covering the wart can help prevent some of these feelings and events. However, it is important to let the child with juvenile warts know that they are not less than they were simply because they have juvenile warts. Helping the child understand where the warts come from and that they are easily treated can provide a lot of comfort for the child with juvenile warts.

To further the advocacy of these children, some type of education about juvenile warts should take place with all children. Many schools are beginning to require health classes for older students, where issues such as juvenile warts are discusses. This education will likely limit the number of children teased mercilessly on the playground for their wart problems.

Parents should also make siblings aware of the facts about juvenile warts. This will help cut down on teasing and self esteem issues within the home. It will also keep the other children from touching the warts and getting them themselves.