Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted disease that can be likened to gonorrhea or even AIDS for that matter.  However, the main difference with genital warts is the pace of their spread and transmission.  Genital warts can spread very fast compared to gonorrhea and AIDS.
According to a research done in the US, it was revealed that there was an estimate of 6.2 million new infections that was reported every year.  This figure alone is for the ones that were reported but the unreported and undocumented ones may be bigger.
Genital warts or the human papilloma virus (HPV) are venereal warts that can infect people in the age range of 18 to 40 years old.  This is the age where people are sexually active.  Genital warts can also happen in people who have a tendency to have multiple sexual partners and those people who does unprotected sex.
Both sexes are known to have cases of genital warts but the most vulnerable are the females.  Aside from the above reasons, the female reproductive system is the most attacked part of this virus.  The female reproductive system is both moist and warm which is very suitable to the growth of this virus.
If this condition is not treated immediately it can lead into what is known as cervical cancer in women.  Although generally genital warts are harmless but there are certain strains that can lead into the development of cancerous cells.  It is with this reason alone that getting rid of genital warts should be top priority.
Genital warts can appear in women near and around the vaginal opening, the vulva or even inside the body in the cervix.  For the men meanwhile, genital warts can appear around the penis and in the area near the anus and the thighs.
The first physical symptoms of genital warts include the appearance of flesh or pinkish colored lump on the skin.  Then over time it starts to develop moist and soft eruptions that originate on the lump.  Then these eruptions would often times group themselves together to have an appearance like that of a cauliflower.  Once, in this stage it is essential that genital warts medication should immediately be applied.
Some people may not be aware that they are already infected with genital warts because the first symptoms of genital warts can only appear eight to 18 months after the first exposure to the virus.  Thus, at this stage people would not often seek help in getting rid of genital warts.  This is because there are no physical symptoms yet appearing.
For people who suspect that they are already having symptoms of genital warts, it is always better to pay a visit to their doctor.  Their physicians are in a better way to diagnose and prescribe a more specific genital warts medication suitable to the person.
Doctors may often prescribe over the counter drugs like the podophyllin and/or trichloroacetic acid to remove the physical symptoms of genital warts.  These chemical solutions can effectively remove the viruses that cause genital warts.
Another way for the doctor to remove the genital warts is thru the use of electrocauterization where the warts are removed thru the use of a heated needle.  It technically burns the warts thru the use of electricity.
The use of liquid nitrogen is also widely used in getting rid of genital warts.  This is also called cryosurgery.  Liquid nitrogen is applied to the warts and the liquid nitrogen acts as a freezing agent that once the warts are frozen solid, they can easily be removed physically.
For genital warts that are inside of the body, it is better to have a pap smear done by the doctor.  They have several instruments that can determine if it is genital warts or not.  Sample tissues are taken from the inside of the vagina and this is taken to the laboratory for tests and confirmation.
How to get rid of genital warts may not be a tricky business.  In fact, there are various ways on how to do it.  The most important thing to do is to avoid getting this sexually transmitted disease in the first place.