WARTS AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), are common skin problems that bring along social and psychological concerns for individuals. These worries and the long-term persistence of the HPV infection in the body often profoundly impact a person's sexual life and their social standing. The fear of spreading the disease can reduce sexual desire between couples, negatively affecting pleasure derived from the relationship. This leads to the person becoming introverted and distancing themselves from society, while triggering anxiety due to prolonged treatments, fears of treatment methods not being successful, and fears of transmitting the disease to others.

When warts are detected in a male partner, the woman should immediately undergo an HPV DNA test. Depending on the test result, it is recommended that the couples protect themselves, use condoms until the treatment of the HPV-infected partner is complete, and quickly get vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.

When warts are detected in a woman, the issue of subjecting the man to the HPV DNA test is controversial. Prompt vaccination of both the man and the woman prevents viral transmission and the ping-pong effect, and protects against cancers of the penis, head, neck, and anal canal.

However, the presence of warts in one of the partners often leads to questioning the relationship. The fact that HPV is mainly transmitted sexually usually arouses suspicion in the opposite partner. It should be remembered that due to the long incubation period and the ability of the virus to remain hidden in the body for a long time, the virus might have entered the body before the couple's relationship. Recent scientific articles have been published about the virus being transmitted in non-sexual ways. Some studies show that non-sexual transmission is also possible. Therefore, couples should take these possibilities into consideration before blaming each other.

If a person thinks they've engaged in a risky relationship, they should immediately have an HPV DNA test. If it is determined that HPV has been transmitted, a follow-up and treatment protocol is determined based on the type of the virus. If the virus has not been transmitted, a lesson should be learned from this situation, HPV vaccine should be taken immediately, and more care should be taken in the future on this issue.

In conclusion, the social and psychological effects of warts and HPV can often be profound and lasting. Being aware for both individuals and couples is the first step in overcoming these challenges. For your health and the health of those around you, it is the most appropriate approach to consult an expert on issues related to warts and HPV.