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Genital Warts
Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV),
one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
HPV is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than
60 different types. An estimated 40 million Americans are infected
with HPV, with 1 million new cases each year.
Symptoms
Most HPV infections are subclinical--that means that there
are no visible signs. Subclinical HPV infections can cause
abnormal cell growth (dysplasia) on the female cervix. Visible
signs of the disease include condylomata, which range from
soft, pink, cauliflower-like warts to hard, smooth, yellow-gray
warts. In women, they may develop inside the vagina, where
they are hard to detect. They may also appear on the lips
of the vagina or around the anus. In men, they usually appear
on the penis, but are sometimes found on the scrotum (the
sac that holds the testicles) or around the anus. If there
are visible signs, you will notice them within 3 weeks to
6 months after having sex with someone who is infected. This
time period makes it difficult to track the infection as it
is passed from partner to partner.
Testing
Your healthcare provider can check closely to detect warts
or other abnormal tissue. For women, the Pap smear is designed
to detect precancerous changes in the cervix and may show
changes caused by HPV infection. Generally, asymptomatic men
with HPV are hard to diagnose and usually aren't treated.
Treatment
There are several ways to remove visible genital warts, but
the underlying HPV infection can't be cured. The virus that
causes genital warts stays in your body and can cause warts
to appear in the future. A doctor can get rid of smaller warts
by freezing them (cryotherapy) or by burning them off with
an acidic chemical such as podophyllin. In severe cases, wart
treatment may require laser surgery. All three procedures
can typically be done in a doctor's office with local anesthetic.
Prevention
Genital warts are transmitted when the HPV virus is passed
from one person to another during sex. You get genital warts
by having sex with someone who is infected. People who have
many sexual partners put themselves at higher risk for genital
warts. Latex condoms, used properly,
provide some protection if they cover the area of infection.
Women: be sure to have regular Pap smears.
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