HiTOPS.org ~ Genital Warts

Genital Warts

What is it?

Genital warts, caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is a very common STD. About 750,000 new cases of genital warts are diagnosed each year in the United States. Currently it is estimated that 4 million Americans have genital warts.

How do you get it?

Human Papillomavirus is spread by skin to skin contact or during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. People who have genital warts can transmit the virus to their sexual partners. Some people have no visible warts, but can still give someone genital warts because they carry the virus in their skin cells.

Incubation period

Symptoms show up 1 - 9 months after having sex, but in some people it can take even longer.

Symptoms

small bumps, sometimes occurring in clusters like cauliflower.
the warts may go away by themselves but it usually takes several months.
the warts are the color of your skin and are painless; there may be an itching sensation when they are growing.

Some HPV infections are asymptomatic (do not cause visible warts). These people can still infect their partners.

Diagnosis

An experienced health care provider diagnoses genital warts based on their appearance.

Treatment

Treatment of genital warts involves removal of skin cells that contain virus particles. The most common treatments are:

a mild acid applied to the warts by a health care provider
a prescription cream that you can apply at home
cryotherapy (freezing)
more serious warts can be treated by laser, or surgery.

Treatment usually requires several visits to a healthcare provider

over a period of a few months. Genital warts can recur after they

have been removed.

Women who have genital warts should have yearly pap smears.

Cervical cancer is caused by some types of human papillomavirus.

Women with genital warts may also be infected by these more

dangerous types of HPV.

What happens if you don't get treated?

You can give genital warts your sexual partner(s).
A mother with warts can give it to her baby during childbirth.
More warts grow and are harder to get rid of.

Note: All sexual partners of anyone treated for an STD must also be treated. If you are treated for an STD and do not tell your partner(s) to get treatment, the STD will spread rapidly and you could be re-infected. Using a condom every time you have sex can help keep you well.