Genital Warts/HPV
What is it?
Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted directly from skin to skin during sexual contact with an infected person.
What are the symptoms?
You may notice growths or lumps on the genitals. They are often painless. Some women may have warts inside the vagina or on the cervix (neck of the womb) and be unaware of them. The first signs of genital warts may not show up until months after infection.
In men, the warts are generally on the penis and are usually more obvious. In both sexes, warts can also appear in and around the anus.
In women, HPV is sometimes detected on a Pap smear. This is called a subclinical infection because no warts are visible, but microscopic changes show that the virus is present.
How is it transmitted?
Genital warts are transmitted by skin to skin contact, usually by sexual contact, with an infected person. The virus can also be passed from person to person even if there are no obvious visible warts. The warts show up between two to three months after exposure to the virus.
How can I prevent transmission?
Condoms can reduce some of the risk of transmission but they will not always cover the infected area as the virus can be anywhere on the genital or anal area.
How is it diagnosed?
Genital warts can be detected by checking for visible warts. A Pap smear can also detect the virus that causes genital warts if it is on the cervix of women.
How is it treated?
Your doctor can remove genital warts by freezing, burning, laser or by applying liquid wart paints or creams. Genital warts are different to warts you might get elsewhere on your body, such as hands or feet. It is important not to use wart paints for hands or feet on your genitals.
If the warts are not treated they may spontaneously clear, but they may also multiply.
Warts may reappear after treatment. Sometimes several visits to your doctor may be required to clear the warts.
For some women, wart virus may be associated with cell changes on the cervix, which if untreated, may eventually develop into pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. Women who have been exposed to the wart virus need to have regular Pap smears. Your doctor will tell you how frequently you need to have a Pap smear.