1. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA Sexually Transmitted diseases (STD's) CONDYLOMAS Material elaborated in Médicos del Mundo(Lanzarote)

2. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA WHAT ARE CONDYLOMAS? They are warts with the following caracteristics: » They appear in humid places, especially the penis,the vaginal entrance and the entrance to the rectum. They may also appear in the mouth. » They grow in clusters. » Each wart measures between 1to 2 milimetres in diameter and the clusters can be quite large. » The warts don't hurt or itch.

3. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA

5. WHAT CAUSES THEM ? They are caused by the human papillomavirus(HPV).The virus's which produce genital warts differ from those that produce warts on other parts of the body but are more contagious. ALSO KNOWN AS: Condylomata acuminata, venereal warts, condyloma latum or papilloma virus warts. MODES OF TRANSMISSION: They are transmitted by sexual contact.They are more contagious than other warts and although the illness is even more contagious when there are visible warts,it is not necessary for them to be present in order to spread them.

6. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA TRANSMISSION CAPACITY » It is very contagious and they can appear from 1 to 8 months after being infected, namely, from the contact with the person that had them,but sometimes they may appear even later. » It tends to be associated with other sexually transmitted diseases. » It would appear that teenagers and young women are predomiantly infected. » Sometimes the warts are difficult to detect by the naked eye.At other times they grow rapidly and spread over the whole area.

7. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA TRANSMISSION CAPACITY

8. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA SYMPTOMS These warts don't usually cause symptoms but could eventually cause them. In women: » Condylomas appear on the labia and anus. » It is possible to experience itching, burning and pain during sex. In men: » Condylomas appear on the penis and the scrotum (skin that contains the testicles). » If there has been anal sex, they will also appear in this area. » Other symptoms are: itching, burning and pain during coitus..

9. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA TREATMENT » The treatment consists of eliminating the warts producing lesions on them similar to a burn,with a specific liquid or creamy substance, or with electricity.

10. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA HOW TO AVOID CONTRACTING THE ILLNESS It is of vital importance: » Use condoms and other barrier methods during all sexual relations (oral, vaginal and anal). » From the very beginning of these and in the adequate way. » Reducing as much as possible the number of sexual partners decreases the risk of contagion. » Do not maintain sexual relations with people that have visible warts on their genitles, even if you're using condoms.

11. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA HOW TO AVOID CONTRACTING THE ILLNESS » If you have a stable partner and one of you has been diagnosed with warts,it is prudent if you use condoms until 6 to 8 months after finishing the treatment to avoid your partner contracting it. » Both partners should be tested if the illness has been detected in one of them.

12. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA HOW ARE THEY DIAGNOSED ? » Generally a visual exam is used along with a confirmation from the laboratory. » Also, in women a smear test of the cervix, which is also known as a pap smear. In men,an endoscope may be used to search for warts in the bladder and the urethra.

13. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA COMPLICATIONS IF THE ILLNESS IS NOT TREATED » Without treatment,some warts may disappear on their own but,it is very frequent for them to recur and they may also grow significantly. » The treatment tries to eliminate the warts and in this way the virus, although some of them may persist, or recur (that is to say reappear), this last situation is related to stress. » The importance of its diagnosis and treatment, apart from eliminating discomfort, is to reduce its capacity of becoming malignant, namely, this is a virus that can cause cervical cancer, as well as penile cancer.This possibility increases when we have also had genital herpes (another sexually transmitted disease ). » This is why when we go to the gynecologist it is a good idea to tell them that we have had genital warts, even if they have healed.

14. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA HOW TO AVOID INFECTING ANOTHER PERSON ? To help to avoid spreading the warts to other areas of the body or to other people: » Do not have sex if you know or suspect that you have the illness. » In the case of sexual contact, use latex condoms. At least this way, the risk of infection will decrease. But it has to be taken into account that there is a real risk of infecting or being infected with the illness. » Keep the genital area clean and dry.You can usea hair dryer to keep the area dry.

15. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA HOW TO AVOID INFECTING ANOTHER PERSON ? » Don't scratch your warts. » Do not have sex until the warts are completely healed. » Wash your hands thouroughly after touching a wart infected area. REMEMBER. THE INFORMATION IS NOT ENOUGH IF YOU DON'T USE IT. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF.

16. COMBATIMOS TODAS LAS ENFERMEDADES, INCLUIDA LA INJUSTICIA ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CONDYLOMAS ? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION! If you have any questions, enquiries, suggestions… you can make them at: Médicos del Mundo Plaza de la Constitución nº9, 1ºJ. Arrecife. 35500 Telephone: 928-80-55-55 Fax: 928-80-55-55 Mobile: 649-89-84-63 E-mail: lanzarote@medicosdelmundo.org Web: www.medicosdelmundo.org