Sexual Health Infections

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Genital Warts

What are Genital Warts and how do you catch them? Find out about signs and symptoms of Genital Warts, testing and treatment and what happens if it isn't treated. How to avoid STIs.

Genital warts are the most common STI seen at genitourinary medicine clinics in the U.S. and UK, although many people who carry the virus that causes them have no physical symptoms. Read about the possible symptoms and how genital warts are treated.

How do you catch Genital Warts?
Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and can appear anywhere on the genital or anal area.

Genital warts are passed on by direct skin-to-skin genital contact with an infected person. This includes:

• vaginal or anal sex
• close body contact
• sharing sex toys

Condoms can't offer full protection against genital warts, as the virus is passed on through direct skin-to-skin contact, and condoms only cover the penis.

You can't catch genital warts from kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, cups, plates or cutlery, from toilet seats or swimming pools.

Signs and symptoms of Genital Warts
Only about one per cent of people with HPV have any visible warts and it can take from two weeks to several months for them appear.

Warts don't affect everyone in the same way.

• Warts appear as small white lumps or larger, cauliflower-shaped growths.
• There may be just one wart, or many.
• They can appear anywhere on the genitals - around the vulva, penis, scrotum or anus; they can appear around the anus without you having had anal sex.
• Warts are painless, but can irritate the skin.
• Warts can develop inside the vagina or anus, or on the cervix.

Testing and treatment
Tests for genital warts shouldn't be painful but may be uncomfortable. Tests include:

• a doctor or nurse looking at the warts
• if warts are suspected but not obvious, a weak vinegar-like solution may be applied to turn them white
• an internal examination of the vagina or anus to check for hidden warts

No routine test is done when warts aren't visible.

Genital warts are easily treated, although it's unusual for one treatment to be enough. How they're treated depends on the type, number and distribution of the warts in the genital area.

The two most common treatments are:

• painting a liquid chemical or using special creams on the warts and washing it off later
• freezing the warts with a spray treatment

The number of treatments needed varies according to the individual. Sometimes the warts return and require further treatment. This is because the warts themselves can be treated but the virus remains within the body. Pregnant women can be safely treated for genital warts.

Genital warts should never be treated with remedies bought from pharmacies.

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What happens if they aren't treated?
Genital warts generally don't cause any serious long-term health problems. Not everyone decides to be treated and sometimes they clear up by themselves.

There are over 100 different types of HPV and a few are linked to changes in the cervix which can lead to cervical cancer.

All sexually active women should have regular smear tests which can pick up the changes before they become cancer.

How to avoid STIs

1. Before you have sex, talk to your partner about how to protect yourselves.
2. A male or female condom can provide protection from most STIs if used correctly every time you have sex.
3. Become familiar with how to use condoms and have a supply ready.
4. Seek advice straight away if you think you've been at risk.

Last updated: 10/05

Related Information:

• Sexually Transmitted Infections Index
• Emergency Contraception
• Why Practice Safer Sex?

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