The genital warts are known to be caused by strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually - this virus has more than 100 strains, and not all of the strains appear on the genitals. These strains are generally categorized into two types - high and low-risk; the second are believed to be a main contributing factor to serious diseases such as cervical cancer and in rare cases throat and anal cancer.

The types of human papilloma virus that cause the genital warts are low-risk types and the warts do not present great danger to a person's general health, but when left untreated for a longer period they spread in other ares and can grow in number. The types of the virus that cause genital warts are the HPV 6 and HPV 11 - and literally millions of men and women carry these types of the human papilloma virus (as it has been estimated close to 6.2 million of adult men and women have been found infected in the year 2000 in the United States), but do not develop genital warts. The only way to prevent the infection is not to have sex and avoid any skin to skin contact - for sure using condoms and decreasing the number of the accidental sexual contacts greatly reduce the chance of getting infected.

Even though the warts are successfully treated in most cases, there is no cure for the causes - the virus infection - it remains presented in the person's body even long after the warts are gone. The infected person should do the following: inform his partner, practice safe sex and use own toiletries and soap even though non-sexual transmitting of the HPV is unlikely.

Studies have shown that using male condoms does not offer absolute protection as the HPV can be transmitted via skin-to-skin contact; vertical infection (from mother to child) is also possible, but it doesn't happen too often. The infection does not spread through blood. The genital warts can also be found in sexually active men and women of all ages, but the majority of the patients are not older than 30 years of age.

Is there any way we can fight the causes of genital warts?

If a person leads sexual life he or she cannot avoid the infection for certain; still most of the infected men and women do not develop genital warts and it is truly believed to be due to the fact that their immune system fights the infection. If you have been infected with the human papilloma virus and develop genital warts, seek professional medical advice and undergo the treatment prescribed by qualified doctor as soon as possible. After the end of the treatment, give your immune system a vital boost by adopting healthier lifestyle with balanced diet.