Q: Can you give me some information on genital warts? How do you get rid of them? Are they sexually transmitted?
A:A virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV causes genital warts. It is a common condition, and yes, it is sexually transmitted. Just touching the genital area can give someone the virus. It is, unfortunately, common in the younger generation and teenagers. There are over one million new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Canada would therefore expect to see about 100,000 new cases in the same time.
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AIDS and herpes are not the only sexually acquired diseases to worry about. The use of condoms can help, but the only real way to prevent this disease is not to have sex at all.
The warts may be so small they are not even visible to the eye, or may be so large that they resemble cauliflower florets. One way a doctor can tell if you have them is to coat the area with vinegar, which makes the smaller warts visible with a magnifying glass. These warts can be removed in the doctor’s office using a chemical such as Podophyllin or tricloracetic acid, or they can be frozen or burned off. Severe cases may require treatment with lasers or surgery.
This condition should be taken seriously, not because the warts themselves are particularly painful, but because there is a risk of developing cancer of the cervix at a later date.
Every woman who gets this disease should be conscientious about having annual Pap smears. It is important for young women who are sexually active to do this too, because they may not be aware of having an HPV infection because the warts are often internal and do not cause any obvious symptoms. If one of these tests should indicate an abnormality, the test will need to be repeated more often to make sure there is no cancer developing.
Cervical cancer is completely curable as long as it is caught in the early stages and not neglected.
Ear infections
Q: I suffered from ear infections for a long time until a naturopath suggested warm garlic oil. I put two drops in the ear and then a little cotton, morning and night until I get relief.
A: Garlic and onions are known to have antibacterial properties. The warm oil may also help soften and flush out excessive ear wax. Make sure the oil is not too hot or too cold, or you could get a severe attack of dizziness.
