About 60% of people who have sexual relations with people who have genital warts will become infected.

Genital warts are soft growths on the skin and mucus membranes of the genitals. They are found on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, and cervix and in the anus. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The virus that causes genital warts is the human papilloma (HPV).

Genital warts are on the increase in Uganda. It is highly blamed on the increase in HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Uganda. Scientist say that genital warts affect men and women. Genital warts will appear about 3 months after infection but to some people the symptoms may even take years.

Dr. Mudiope Peter of Uganda Aids commission says that every man has a virus that causes genital warts in the body. He says that when the immunity of the body is compromised, the disease appears especially when one is suffering from HIV. Warts usually grow around the moist genital areas and appear as bumps. The bumps may be flat or raised, single or large. If the genital warts remain untreated, they enlarge quickly and appear like a jackfruit skin.

Pregnant women who have genital warts may have problems while urinating. If there are warts on the virginal wall, her vaginal tissues may stretch less during delivery. There is a risk that when a mother gives birth, the baby might have warts in the throat. The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy may cause genital warts to increase in number.

The treatment helps to remove the visible warts and help the body immunity to rise again to fight the virus.

Walakira Nyanzi, Health Reporter

Ultimate Media

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