Genital Warts (HPV)

Many people who have a genital HPV infection have no signs or symptoms.

HPV is the Human Papilloma Virus; there are at least 60 kinds of HPV.
Some cause warts on different parts of the body. Examples are plantar warts on the feet, common hand warts, and genital warts.
HPV also causes genital infections that cannot be seen.
Many different growths may be caused by HPV; some of these growths may lead to cancer.

One out of ten Americans has some sort of genital HPV infection.
Between 500,000 and one million new cases of HPV infection happen every year.
About one third of all teenagers who are having sex have genital HPV infections.

Many people who have a genital HPV infection have no signs or symptoms and can very easily spread an infection to a partner.
Genital warts caused by HPV infection may or may not be seen.
They can be found on the vulva, cervix anus, penis, and urethra.
Once in a while they can be found in the mouth or throat.
They may be flesh colored, soft to the touch, and look like little pieces of cauliflower.
They may grow in more than one area.
They usually don’t hurt but they may itch.
If they grow too large, then can block the openings to the penis, vagina, urethra, or anus.
Genital warts may grow faster during pregnancy or when the immune system is weakened by HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, or any number of other conditions.
Other genital HPV infections that do not cause warts are more dangerous because they may be linked to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, or penis. Almost all women with Daviel cancer test positive for HPV.

Most people who spread the disease do not even know they are infected.

Since many HPV infections or genital warts cannot be seen or could be something else, it is best to be checked by your health care provider.
In women, genital warts are often seen during a pelvic exam. Most men do not get checked for a sexually transmitted infection unless they have symptoms, so they may spread an infection without knowing they have it. They should be checked regularly for sexually transmitted infections if they are having unprotected sex.
HPV Infections that cannot be seen by the eye may be spotted during a pelvic exam using a colposcope that magnifies the tissue of the cervix and vagina.
Pap tests may show changes in the cells of the cervix caused by HPV. A yearly Pap test is very important.

No cure is guaranteed. After treatment, some people never have an outbreak again. However, just like herpes and HIV (the human immuno-deficiency virus that causes AIDS), HPV will stay in your body for the rest of your life.

There are several different treatments. Genital warts may be removed by cryotherapy (frozen off).
They may be electro-cauterized (burned off)
They may be removed by surgery, lasers, or chemicals put directly onto the warts.
Genital warts grow back about 30% of the time.

If a woman has ever had genital warts and becomes pregnant, she should tell her health care provider. Genital warts often grow rapidly during pregnancy and may bleed during the birth of the baby. The warts may need to be removed before the baby is born.

Since many people who have a genital HPV infection do not know they are infected, this is a very difficult problem.
Always using a latex condom can offer some protection, however, the condom only covers the penis and the virus could be on other areas of the genitals.
Many people and their partners get checked for sexually transmitted diseases before they begin a sexual relationship.

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