Genital warts cause HIV to be more easily transmitted. If you have genital warts and are exposed to HIV, you should strongly consider HIV PEP, a medication regimen that can decrease the chances of acquiring HIV.
Some STDs cause significant health problems, while others are more of a nuisance. Examples of less-serious STDs include genital herpes and %genital warts%. These diseases cause lesions to appear on the genitals. The sores of herpes are usually uncomfortable, while genital warts often cause no discomfort. Genital herpes sores are small (although there may be several sores together in a group), while genital warts can be small or large. Some genital warts are so small that they’re hard to see.
Although these STDs don’t directly cause major health problems, they can still have a major impact on your health. Both genital warts and genital herpes increase the risk of HIV infection by causing breaks in the healthy mucous membrane of the genitals, anus, or mouth. Any type of a lesion provides a route of entry for HIV, because it allows the virus to get through the mucous membrane more easily and access the bloodstream.
HIV is a lifelong infection. Untreated, it damages the immune system, and can cause a variety of complications as it progresses to AIDS and death. Fortunately, medications are available to help control HIV, but they must be taken for life. Otherwise, the HIV infection may progress. This is why people who are exposed to HIV would usually like to do everything possible to prevent themselves from acquiring the infection.
If you have an exposure to HIV, then you may be a candidate for post-exposure prophylaxis, or %HIV PEP%. This is a regimen of HIV medications that can help to keep an HIV infection from becoming established in the body. The medications are taken for a period of four weeks, beginning within two days after the exposure. Follow-up testing is performed several times to see whether an HIV infection has become established.
HIV PEP is for people who have one exposure to HIV. This could be a “one-night stand” with a partner who is known or suspected to have HIV. In the case of a sexual assault, when the perpetrator’s HIV status is unknown, HIV PEP may also be considered. People who have genital warts should more strongly consider taking PEP, because they’re more likely to acquire HIV from that one exposure.
HIV PEP is not recommended for people with repeated exposures to HIV. For example, those with a regular sexual partner who has HIV would not take PEP after each time they have sex. In this case, HIV PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, might be appropriate. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
A good place to obtain %HIV PEP in Singapore% is at an STD clinic. You may also need to be tested for other STDs, because it’s common for more than one STD to be transmitted at a time. At an STD clinic, you’ll be able to get all of the testing and treatment you need for any STD. You’ll also be assured of maximum discretion, so you don’t need to worry that anyone will find out about anything you discuss with the provider. Your privacy will be protected.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “HIV Basics – Testing.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 5 May 2016. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. “Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).” AIDS.gov. Published 21 Sep 2015. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 19 May 2016. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Genital Warts.” Mayo Clinic. Published 2 Jan 2014. Accessed 21 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 21 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/warts.htm
References
Genital at Shim Clinic, Singapore