Diseases can be of several types—-some are due to malnutrition, some are microbial, some are infectious or birth defects, while some are sexually transmitted. One such sexually transmitted disease or STD is the development of genital warts in women which comes by the medical term of Condyloma acuminata. The cause behind the formation of these lumps is the microbial entity called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. Any sort of sexual action-be it intercourse, anal, oral or any sort of physical contact involving genital area can create such lumps. The viral infection can lead to cause for cervical cancer in women.

Though there are several variants of the virus, all of which do not cause cancer. Still, it becomes almost imperative to be able to detect and comprehend as to what are the probable symptoms for these genital warts in women. The lesions may be skin colored or pinkish in appearance with raised or flat structure and possess rough texture. They may evolve on the labia or even inside the vaginal tract. At times they may surface in or around the anus. Many women affected by the HPV may not have lumps develop, but they are contagious. These lumps on the skin generally itch, burn or even cause gentle sensation in the genital area. Urination at times can cause pain.

Just diagnosis of the ailment is not enough. Proper medication and removal of the warts become of utmost importance. There are medicines and creams and other treatments available for wiping off the warts. But none of these guarantee permanent solutions as some tissues may still remain affected by the HPV. Gardasil® and Cervarix® are two vaccines that are available in the market that can be used to prevent certain types of the virus that create the genital warts in women.

Some of the medicinal techniques include applying creams or liquid gels on the warts by swabbing with cotton and washing it off after 6 to 10 hours. Podophylox and Podophylin are two ointments that are to be applied by the doctors only, though they are not used in pregnant women due to side effects. Imiquimod, interferon, bichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid are few other solutions that trigger the depletion of the genital warts in women. Some other methods to remove the warts include surgical treatments, cryotherapy, electrocautery, excision and even laser operation. These are expensive and often painful. However, one must consult a doctor as soon as one detects the warts on one’s body for proper preventive measures.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a lentivirus that is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV causes the progressive destruction of immune system which leaves the body defenseless against opportunistic infections and cancers. Currently there is no cure for HIV or AIDS but antivirals are able to stop disease progression if they are taken daily and life-long. The World Health Organization has the disease listed as a pandemic and HIV infection prevention is a top priority for many health organizations in countries around the world. Africa has the misfortune of having largest number of infected persons in the world. Globally, 33 million people are infected by HIV, 7000 new cases of infection occur daily and 2 million people die each year from AIDS.

HIV is transmitted from one person to another through the exchange of infected body fluids such as blood and semen. Therefore, HIV infection prevention rests on employing safety measures that limit contact with infected fluids. The most common way HIV is transmitted is through sexual contact. Being vigilant about employing safe sex methods is the key to reducing the risk of becoming infected. Although the number of women spreading the infection is much lower than men, a person can still be infected through vaginal fluids that come in contact with cuts in the mouth or penis. Condoms should be used during vaginal and anal intercourse as well as fellatio. Sexual partners should used dental dams when performing oral sex on females. Partners should avoid kissing if sores or open wounds are present as the disease can be transmitted through saliva containing blood.

When we speak of condom, we usually think about male condoms. However, female condoms exist, but are not well accepted. A number of new female condoms are currently developed to address the common disadvantages of those on the market. However, wider use of the condoms in countries with severe HIV/AIDS epidemics depends on the commitment of governments and other major donors. To achieve its full potential, much greater effort needs to be made worldwide to make condoms more affordable, accessible and acceptable.

Male circumcision has also been proposed to reduce HIV transmission from women to men. However, circumcision is much less effective than condom use at preventing HIV transmission and it is estimated that it only prevents around 50 percent of infections.

Another common way HIV is acquired is through intravenous drug use. Many drug addicts share needles which provide the perfect conditions for transmission of HIV from person to another. For HIV infection prevention, many health agencies advise drug addicts to use fresh needles or at least to not share needles with other users. This also goes for anyone who takes intravenous medication such as insulin. Not only should needles not be shared, they should be properly disposed of to prevent the accidental spread of the disease to others who may share the same living or working space.

Pregnant infected women can prevent contaminating the foetus by taking antiretroviral therapy and having undetectable viral load. They should also not breastfeed as the disease can be passed along to babies through the milk. In 2009, around 400,000 children became infected with HIV, mainly through mother-to-child transmission. About 90% of these infections occurred in Africa where AIDS is beginning to reverse decades of steady progress in child survival.

Healthcare professionals are also at risk of contracting HIV through accidental exposure. Therefore, it is important to follow safety guidelines when working with patients. Always wear protective gear, such as gloves and masks, when working with bodily fluids, sores, and open wounds. Use safe collectors to get rid of used needles.

If all these measures were seriously implemented, we could curb down the evolution of the pandemic.

Sex workers are very significant in the topic of HIV for two reasons: The very nature of the job they do, and the simple fact that they have a high number of sexual partners on a regular basis. If they become infected with HIV, they’re more likely to pass it on due to the sheer number of sex partners they come in contact with. Prostitutes come in various forms, and can be male, female, or transgendered. It is a high risk group, along with men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users. It is very easy for sex workers to pass HIV from other high risk people to the public at large.

The sex work industry in Asia is very large: upward of 75 million male clients for about 10 million actual sex workers. Thailand was one of the first countries to notice the high rate of HIV infection amongst its sex workers, and began enforcing mandatory condom usage in the brothels; this practice has helped reduce the rate of HIV infection. The Indian government, for example, estimates that about 5% of all prostitutes in India are infected with HIV. And there is clear overlap with other high risk groups, such as intravenous drug users. In Vietnam, about one-third of all such drug users admitted to purchasing sex within the previous year, but only one-fifth of them used a condom during sex.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the rate of HIV infection amongst female prostitutes is 20 times higher than the prevalence in the entire population. Male and transgendered prostitutes have a more difficult time using safer sex practices. Less than half of Kenyan male and transgendered sex workers use condoms, which contributes to the high rate of HIV infection. The high HIV infection rate is also prevalent in Central and South American countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S./Mexico border towns on the Mexican side, such as Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, have a high rate of HIV infection among prostitutes who also use inject drugs; the reason being that these sex workers will often trade unprotected sex for drug money.

Sex work is often controlled in many European countries and is largely illegal in the United States, which limits the data available on HIV infection (especially in the U.S.) or contributes to a low overall HIV infection rate in the European countries that regulate the practice. It is, however, important that sex workers get the access to HIV prevention programs that they need and continue to promote condom usage amongst sex workers throughout the world.