How are they treated?
Genital warts need to be treated with medication applied by a doctor
or a nurse. Treatment often involves more than one visit. The person(s)
you have sex with also need to be examined.
Important: If your sexual partner has had warts, you should have an
exam. Once the warts have been treated, have an exam or examine yourself
every three months for a year. It is important to take care of warts
when you find them because some of the strains of the virus that causes
them can lead to precancerous cell changes of the cervix. All women
exposed to Genital wart treatments must have a pap smear once a year.
How do you reduce the risk of spreading Genital wart
treatments?
By using a condom. Continue using them until no new warts appear for
at least two months. The wart virus may still be present in your skin
even after the warts have disappeared. (At this stage, the risk of
passing on the infection is quite small.)
Should you be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDS)?
If you have different sexual partners, or if your partner has different
partners, you should also be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis,
and HIV (the virus linked to AIDS). You may also need a test for syphilis
and shots to prevent hepatitis B.
General STD prevention:
You can avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease Condyloma (STD):
Have sex with only one partner who is not infected and who is having
sex only with you.
Use condoms. Condoms offer protection against STDs but they must be
used properly (see below).
Have regular STD check-ups.
Decide not to have sex.
How to use a condom
Use only latex condoms.
Don't store condoms for a long time in a wallet, or near extremes
of heat or cold.
Check the expiry date on the Condyloma package.
Open the package carefully so you don't tear or damage the condom.
Put the condom on before any sexual touching.
You can use a water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y, ForPlay, or contraceptive
gel. Oil-based lubricants such as Vaseline or baby oil should not
be used, as they can damage the latex of the condom.
Use a new latex condom every time you have sex.
Used correctly, condoms provide considerable protection against pregnancy,
sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV (the virus linked to AIDS).