Genital warts increase the risk of HIV, because they create a break in the barrier that a mucous membrane normally provides. Those with genital warts should seek an HIV test, in case they’ve become infected. A regular HIV test is recommended for certain groups, including sexually active young adults.
Genital warts are a common STD. These warts show a wide variation in size. Some are large and may be cauliflower-shaped, and these large warts can sometimes interfere with sex or can be bothersome to the patient. Other warts are very small, with some being so small that they’re not visible to the naked eye, but can only be seen with a microscope. Some %genital warts% are painful or itchy, while others are not.
The warts are called by a very common virus called HPV. This virus is so common that most sexually active adults will be exposed to it at some point in their lives. Only certain strains of HPV can cause genital warts, and even these strains of the virus don’t cause warts every time. Other strains of HPV can cause certain types of cancer, including cervical cancer. This is why an HPV vaccine was developed. It protects you from the most common cancer-causing strains. Some versions of the HPV vaccine also protect you from the most common wart-causing strains.
Actually, the majority of people who become infected with HPV will not develop genital warts or any other symptoms. They will have an asymptomatic HPV infection, and are likely to be unaware that they have it. This is why HPV is so common in the population; many people don’t know that they have it and are spreading it to others.
Healthy skin and mucous membranes provide a barrier against the entry of HIV into the body. Anything that breaks this healthy barrier causes a higher risk of HIV infection, because it provides a route by which the HIV virus can access the bloodstream and establish an infection.
Genital warts break this barrier. This is why people who have genital warts have a higher risk of becoming infected with HIV. Because genital warts can be very small, even microscopic in size, a person with warts might not always be aware of their presence.
Those who have genital warts should get an %HIV test% to ensure that they haven’t also been infected with HIV. If you have HPV, you may also have acquired other STDs during the same sexual encounter. An HIV test in Singapore can be obtained at an STD clinic, which can also determine whether you need additional testing for other types of STDs. Authorities recommend getting an HIV test on a regular basis for certain groups, including sexually active young adults. Talk with your provider when you come for your %HIV test in Singapore%, to determine how often you should come back for testing.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 19 May 2016. Accessed 20 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Genital Warts.” Mayo Clinic. Published 2 Jan 2014. Accessed 20 Jun 2016. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/basics/definition/con-20019380
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Anogenital Warts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 4 Jun 2015. Accessed 20 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/warts.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Screening Recommendations Referenced in Treatment Guidelines and Original Recommendation Sources.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 4 Jun 2015. Accessed 20 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/screening-recommendations.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “HIV Basics – Testing.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 5 May 2016. Accessed 20 Jun 2016 http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html
References
Genital at Shim Clinic, Singapore