Infections causes by viruses are probably the most common of any type of infection. Colds and flus are caused by viruses. Depending on the type of virus, immunization may be successful in preventing the infection. In other cases, no prevention is realistically possible since the virus continually mutates. A virus is defined as a sub-microscopic agent that causes infection. It is unable to reproduce or grow when outside the host cell space. Scientists continue to argue whether the virus lives or not. Viruses are attacked by the immune system of the host unit. Antibiotics don't affect viruses, but viruses can be prevented by inoculations of vaccines.ArbovirusesArboviruses are a shortened version of the name arthropod borne viruses. These are carried by mosquitoes and are typically transmitted to the bloodstream by biting. Many of the viruses are not infectious to humans but others are epidemic in nature and can be deadly. Examples of arboviruses today include Dengue fever, West Nile virus, Ross River virus, tick-borne encephalitis and equine encephalitis. The best treatment for arboviruses is prevention. Vector control to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and insect repellents will help eliminate the likelihood of getting bitten by the virus-carrying mosquito.Herpes virusHerpes virus comes […]

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Genital warts, which appear as small flesh-colored clusters or bumps of tissue, are the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. In fact surveys conclude that at least half the sexually active male and female population may contract genital HPV. "HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. This indicates that warts are a virus, and can exist in the skin even if no warts are visible to the naked eye. That means that the virus is contagious even when there are no symptoms. So be careful, and be sure to check for STD's regularly when you visit your doctor for check-ups. This way, you won't accidentally spread a virus to a loved one.

Genital warts are generally found around the genital areas. In women they are found in the vagina, cervix or anus and on men they are found in the penis and anus. Genital warts may be passed on through vaginal, oral, or anal sex and research reveals that a pregnant woman can pass HPV on to her infant during vaginal delivery.

There are more than 100 types of HPV and 30 of these are transmitted through sexual activity and are classified as high or low risk. The high-risk variety reportedly causes cell changes that may result in cervical cancer in those infected with the virus if left untreated for a long period of time. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts, but not cervical cancer. Often, those infected with low-risk HPV are unaware they are infected since low-risk HPV may not present symptoms.

The genital wart virus is correctly called the human papillomavirus or HPV. This genital wart virus is the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. It is believed that as much as 24 million people in the United States are infected with the genital wart virus and the incidence appears to be on the rise. Scientists have so far identified over sixty types of the genital wart virus. Some forms of the virus will cause the common skin warts instead of genital warts.

About one third of the genital wart virus types are spread through sexual contact. Some types of HPV can lead to genital warts which is the most recognizable sign of an HPV infection. Some forms of the genital wart virus have also been associated with the development of cervical cancer as well as other genital cancers.

However, as with other sexually transmitted diseases, an infection of the genital wart virus may not cause visible symptoms. About half of the people infection with the genital wart virus will have no obvious symptoms. Since the virus can remain latent in the skin an infected person may not be aware that they are infect and this can increase the risk of transmission to others as well as the risk of developing complications.

Diagnosis

If you think you have genital warts then you should see your doctor so that they can rule out or treat similar looking infections or conditions. Most of the time a doctor can diagnosis genital warts and the genital wart virus through a simple visual examination. If women have genital warts the doctor will likely also examine them for possible HPV infection of the cervix.

A pap smear test can indicate the possible presence of the genital wart virus. A pap smear is a microscopic examination of cells that are taken from the uterine cervix in order to detect cervical cancer. An abnormal pap smear test can indicate possible HPV infection. For women with abnormal pap smears a doctor will want to examine the woman further to detect and treat any cervical problems.

There are some new laboratory tests under development which can identify specific types of the genital wart virus. These test can soon help doctors to determine whether or not the infection will progress to the point of precancerous lesion or if it can be transmitted from a mother to her newborn baby during birth. These tests will make treatment quicker and easier in cases of genital warts.