In today’s society where the topic of sexual intercourse has become more open  it has even became a common predilection of the younger generations  it just shows that the understanding of the dangers of sexually-transmitted infections (STI) is limited.

Around the world, the Human Pappiloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of STI and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6.2 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported every year while the risks of both catching and infecting others is greatly increased as genital warts is one of the most virulent STI’s caused by HPV encountered today.

With this fact, one of the most important information that must not be ignored is both men and women can get genital warts at any age.

According to medical studies, those between the ages of 17 and 33 are the most common patients with genital warts. Carriers are highly contagious and there is a 60 percent risk of getting genital warts with just one sexual contact with someone who has been infected. In children, genital warts can occur through non-sexual modes such as direct manual contact.

Genital warts are flesh-colored growths that vary in size and may cluster together to form a cauliflower-like shape. There are over a hundred different types of this virus that have been already identified. Genital warts are abnormal skin growths that are caused by the human papillomavirus, particularly types 6 and 11. According to a recent study, more than 94 percent of genital warts caused by HPV contain HPV 6 and/or 11.

In addition, genital warts is one of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases worldwide.

About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with a partner with genital warts will develop them, usually within three months. However, you don’t have to actually have sex to get genital warts. You can even (rarely) get genital warts if you have oral sex with an infected person. Genital warts are very contagious and can develop in the genital area within weeks or months after infection.

In women, genital warts develop on the vulva and cervix and in the areas that surround the anus and vagina. For men, genital warts tend to appear on the penis or scrotum, and in rare cases, can develop on the groin or thigh.  Symptoms may include itching of the penis, scrotum and anal area.

Women tend to be diagnosed with genital warts earlier in their lives compared to men, and genital warts tend to appear during their late teens and early 20s. Men typically are diagnosed with genital warts during their early and late 20s.

A big burden

In a small gathering recently sponsored by Merck Sharp and Dohme, Dr. Jennifer Co presented to the media the huge economic and psychological burden brought by genital warts.

“About 1 million people have visible genital warts at any point in time, and it is estimated that each minute in the United States someone develops genital warts. A diagnosis of HPV infection or its complications results in a wide range of emotional responses,” Co said while adding, “having genital warts is very expensive.”

Genital warts also represent an economic burden on society. One study of genital warts among privately insured individuals estimated an annual cost of $140 million for US private health plans in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of genital warts. Two results from a recent study estimated a cost of £10.1 million for managing incident cases of genital warts in the United Kingdom.

“Aside from being very expensive, genital warts can be physically disruptive, genital warts may cause the sufferer psychological and emotional pain. Though genital warts are not life threatening, these lesions can cause clinical symptoms, such as burning, itching, bleeding, and pain, and can also cause psychosocial stress, resulting in decreased self-esteem, negative self-perception, embarrassment, and anxiety,” Co  noted.

Studies also show these psychosocial burdens are  normal, but it would help if you take into the account the fact that genital warts can be controlled and managed, however, even if effective in the short term, physically ablative therapies are painful, and recurrence rates can be high as only the visible lesion is excised while the infection persists.

For men, too

Meanwhile, amid the promiscuity and varied sexual behaviors of the younger generations, Merck Sharp and Dohme, a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first has developed a vaccine that prevent the infection of HPV – Gardasil.

Gardasil is a quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine. It has demonstrated cervical cancer protection with demonstrated long-term duration of protection. As a result of coverage of HPV types 6 and 11, it also helps protect against other HPV-related diseases, such as genital warts, which can cause physical and emotional burdens.

Gardasil  should be administered in three separate intramuscular injections in the deltoid region of the upper arm or in the higher anterolateral area of the thigh over a six-month period with the first dose at an elected date, the second dose two months after the first dose, and the third dose six months after the first dose.

However, Gardasil does not substitute for routine cervical cancer screening, and women who receive it should continue to undergo screening. It has not been demonstrated to provide protection against diseases from vaccine and non-vaccine HPV types to which an individual has previously been exposed through sexual activity.

Gardasil is approvd by FDA in 2006 and it can be administered in  females nine to 26 years of age to protect against cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a routine 3-dose vaccination series for girls 11 and 12 years of age. The vaccine is also recommended for girls and women ages 13 through 26 years who have not yet been vaccinated or who have not received all 3 doses.

Studies involving approximately 21,000 girls and women were conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Gardasil before receiving approval by FDA. Approximately half of the study participants received the vaccine, and the other half received a control. These studies showed that in women who have never been infected by HPV types 6, 11, 16 or 18, the vaccine is highly effective, both in preventing precancerous lesions that often develop into cancer of the cervix, vagina and vulva, and in preventing genital warts caused by these HPV types.

There may not be a cure for the virus itself, but with perseverance and patience, the symptoms will go away. Some preventive measures that may be observed are: Abstinence from sex,  avoid all genital skin-to-skin contact, enjoy a monogamous relationship and regular consultation with your doctors can help a lot.

And on the psychosocial burdens,  try to overcome your emotions first and concentrate on gathering information about the said disease in order to know how to deal with it. Doing so will definitely help you to come to terms with the situation, do something about it, and move on to have a happier and healthier life.

Furthermore, in a bid to strengthen its ties with healthcare providers, MSD has partnered with Home Health Care (HHC) through the latter’s vaccination program with the quadrivalent human papollomavirus recombinant vaccine, Gardasil. HHC will administer the program including the participant’s screening, vaccination, post-vaccination care, answering medical inquiries and other concerns.

HHC is a health care service provider that aims to deliver mdical services and wellness programs to people in the comfort of their own homes, offices, and communities.

(Write the author at wellbeing@mb.com.ph)