
If you think that genital warts are really bad, and you buy into the belief that they can’t be treated, you might end up coping with them for 20 years before stumbling upon a cure or treatment. WebMD and other notable scientific sources confirm that is only a myth, and can better inform you about the disease, than the many misconceptions you might hear from friends and family.
- Men Can Be Diagnosed with the Infection
It’s a common misconception that there are tests available – like the Pap smear test for women – that can accurately diagnose the problem in men. This isn’t the case, and unless the infection displays any visible signs, you could go on for months or even years not knowing you have it.
- All Strains of the Virus Can Lead to Cancer
As pointed out by Everyday Health, only a select few strains of the virus can cause cancer. High-risk strains like the type 16 and type 18 are responsible not only for common warts, but for about 70% of all cervical cancer cases. However, there are hundreds of other strains as well, most of which are quite benign.
- The Gardasil Vaccine Can Protect You
Although the recent hype about the Gardasil vaccine has caused a lot of people to believe that the vaccine can protect their kids 100%, this is also not true. The vaccine is only effective in the case of some strains of the virus, and has been found to prevent cases of cervical cancer, which are the most severe risks young girls and women can have when they contract the disease. However, the overall protection of the vaccine is still not adequate, according to scientists.
- There Is No Real Cure
A surprising number of people believe that, once you get infected and diagnosed, there’s no turning back. However, this misconception, likely arising from the fact that the virus is an STI, is definitely not true. In fact, the small bumps you get as a result of your infection can be treated not only through medical and surgical procedures, but also with natural herbal remedies like witch hazel, or highly effective over-the-counter products like Wartrol.