Warts the latest on STI?

MANILA, Philippines - An often neglected outcome of any contagious disease is the emotional burden on the infected individuals and the people around them. Sufferers of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in particular face immense challenges living with the infection and the trauma and stigma that follow even after treatment.

Having genital warts is no exception. Having genital warts has far-reaching consequences. A study at a teaching hospital in Manila reveals that genital warts significantly decrease an infected person’s quality of life. Based on the study, almost 92 percent of the subjects with genital warts reported being anxious as to who infected them and feared infecting other people. More than half reported they were worried about having other people find out about their illness and admitted that their personal relationships have been affected by their condition.

Unlike other STIs, genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be acquired through skin-to-skin contact of the genitals and not just penetrative sex. Genital warts are highly contagious with more than 75 percent of sexual partners developing the disease upon exposure. It can appear within weeks or months after exposure even if the other partner has no signs and symptoms of the disease.

“Personal issues seem to be the greatest and most important domain. These issues, if not properly addressed, can be the root of all other problems. A great majority of our patients expressed feelings of being upset and insecure with their infection,” notes Dr. Judith Clemente, co-author of the study and fellow at the UP-PGH OB-Infectious Disease Section.

“This study has shown that the presence of genital warts, although in itself not life-threatening, has a large psychosocial impact on a patient, which decreases his/her quality of life. Beyond the infection, the effects of stigma as well as the decrease in quality of life have a far-reaching impact which we do not readily see,” Dr. Clemente concludes.

Talk to your doctor today about genital warts and its prevention. Log on to www.helpfighthpv.com.