What Do Genital Warts Look Like? - How To Identify Genital Warts

Want To Know What Genital Warts Look Like?

If you have to ask the question what do genital warts

look like, then you could have a few small cauliflowered shaped bumps on the buttocks, anal or vaginal regions. There could be hundreds of these bumps and they will hurt when you touch them.. In men they will manifest themselves on the penis and scrotum making sexual intercourse quite painful. They could also be flattish raised bumps as well.

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Transmission
This disease is caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV and can be transmitted through sex or simply by touching someone else. If you have had unprotected sex with a stranger it can take up to three months for genital warts to manifest themselves. However be aware even if you or your partner do not have warts, and feel fine, the virus is still transmittable and highly contagious, so always use a condom. Also be aware that a condom is notcompletely effective and may not prevent transmission, remember that the disease is communicable with only skin to skin contact.

Treatment
While you may be embarrassed to discuss the condition it is important that you get it treated. Even though you will never be able to get rid of the virus entirely you may be able to get rid of the warts. There are several options for getting rid of them including, medication such as podofilox and trichloroacetic acid, surgery where the doctor will remove the warts with a scalpel, or clinical procedures such as freezing or burning them off with a laser.

Even after treatment there is a possibility of recurrence. In a few rare cases the warts will just go away by themselves, but this is rare and happens in less than 20% of cases. Even if they do you should seek treatment to insure that they do not return worse, which is often the case.

Prevention
Using a condom and getting tested if you are sexually active and sleep with many partners is a necessity. Also there may be a new vaccine available soon for men from Merck. It is currently undergoing FDA approval. There is already a vaccine available for women called Gardasil.

You should always seek help from a doctor before undergoing treatment. Also remember that you should not use the over the counter wart treatments such as Compound W, for genital warts. This medication is much too strong to use in these sensitive areas and may damage the skin. So if you have to ask yourself what do genital warts look like, have a look on the Internet for general information, but seek the counsel of a doctor for treatment.

Palmer Owyoung - About the Author:

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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 6.2 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections reported every year. Health experts estimate there are more cases of genital HPV infection than any other STI in the United States.

There are more than 100 different types of HPV that are classified as high risk and low risk, out of which 30 HPV spread through sexual contact. Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Single or multiple bumps are seen in the genital areas of men and women including the vagina, cervix, vulva (area outside of the vagina), penis, and rectum in such cases. These are classified as low risk types. Common skin warts on the hands and soles of the feet could be caused by some types of HPV but they do not cause genital warts. You can get Genital warts during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner as they are very contagious. HPV infection can also spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or (rarely) oral sex with someone who is infected. In women Genital warts can grow inside and around the outside of the vagina, on the vulva (opening to the vagina) and cervix, groin and in or around the anus. In men, genital warts can grow on the penis, scrotum, thigh, groin, or in or around the anus. While rarely, genital warts grow in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person. The size of genital warts may be so small, you can't see them with your eyes or it can be flat and flesh-colored or look bumpy like cauliflower. It is a possibility that warts may never appear. They may cause itching, burning, and discomfort. In fact, most people with low-risk types of genital HPV never know they are infected because they don't get warts or any other symptom. Most sexually active people have HPV at some point in their lives, though most will never know it because it usual growths are usually flat and invisible

It is said that approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. High-risk types of HPV could lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis.

To know that you have an HPV infection you can have a Pap test. This test can find changes on the cervix, caused by an HPV infection. The doctor uses a small brush to take cells from your cervix. It is a simple, fast and the best way to find out if your cervix is healthy. If you are of the age of 30 and above the doctor may also do an HPV test without a Pap test. If you have genital warts then as said earlier it can tell you that you have an HPV infection. HPV mostly does not causes serious health problems in men, with the exception of anal cancer in men who have sex with men. There is no test for HPV in men.

The HPV vaccine is generally recommended for 11-12 year-old girls. It can also be given to girls as young as 9. The vaccine is also recommended for females’ from13 to 26 years of age who have not yet received or completed the vaccine series. The vaccine should be given before the females are sexually active as they get the full benefits of the vaccine when they are not infected with any of those four HPV. It is yet not know if the vaccine is effective in boys or men.

Find more information visit: Human papillomavirus

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Genital Warts are Caused by the Human Papilloma Virus

Genital warts is one of the two most commonly spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) caused by a virus. The other is genital herpes. The disease is caused by the human papilloma virus often abbreviated as hpv.

The wart like lesions that appear with this STD are called condyloma acuminate.  They look like small, flesh colored growths in the genital and anal region.  Research indicates that 10-40% of women who are sexually active are infected with hpv.  Both men and women can transmit and receive the virus and the presence of the hpv is not always accompanied by the appearance of genital warts. 

Routes of Transmission

Genital warts are spread through direct contact with an infected person during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. Approximately sixty percent of people who have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts will develop symptoms themselves, usually within three months of the encounter.

The human papilloma virus penetrates through tiny abrasions in the genital area that occur during sexual activity. Once the virus is in the body it become latent or inactive for several weeks, months, or sometimes even years. Typically it takes about three months for the first symptoms to appear, but it could take much longer or much less time.

Penetrating sex is not necessary for the spread of hpv. Studies have proven that sexual contact of any kind with an infected person can spread the virus. An infected person is able to spread the virus to a non-infected partner even when there is no outward or visible signs of genital warts.

In rare cases, adults or children may be infected indirectly. For example, using an infected person's towel can cause an infection if rubbed against the genitals. Also, babies may be infected through a vaginal delivery of a mother with genital warts.

HPV, the cause of Genital Warts

There are more than 100 different types of the human papilloma  virus, and over 40 of these can infect the genitals through sexual contact. These specific strains of HPV are highly contagious. Because of the long incubation period, many people may be unaware that they are infected and continue to spread the virus through sexual contact.

Genital Warts Symptoms

The most common genital warts symptoms are the appearance of the warts themselves. Generally they are painless but might cause irritation and itching depending on their size and location. It is not uncommon to develop the warts in more than one area.

In men specifically, genital warts can infect the urethra, scrotum, penis, and rectal areas. The warts will appear as soft, smooth, raised masses when on the penile shaft. Or, they can appear as anal warts, in which the growth is rough and protruding. The lesions will be raised, and only rarely will they appear flat with just a slight elevation above the skin.

In women, genital warts symptoms may not be noticeable if the warts are located inside the vagina where they are undetectable. However, the lesions most commonly occur in the labia minora and around the vaginal opening. Many times no symptoms at all are experienced aside from the appearance of growths (warts). In rare cases, women may experience bleeding following sexual intercourse when infected with HPV.

Genital Warts Treatment

As is the case with most viruses, there is no genital warts treatment that will completely get rid of the lesions or the hpv. The warts can be controlled, but the viral infection cannot be not cured. Prescription medications and topical creams are the most frequently used methods of treatment.

Small warts can be removed by means of laser surgery, cryosurgery (freezing), or electrocautery (burning). Application of various acids and resins may also be used. These genital wart treatments require several sessions and removal is not a permanent solution since it cannot prevent spreading of the human papilloma virus.  It genital warts are removed by any of these methods more lesions can still occur in the future.

Complications

The main complications of HPV infection are the development of cancerous lesions. Some forms of HPV can cause anal and/or penis cancer in men, and cervical cancer in women.

Prevention

Research is currently being conducted on vaccines that may protect against infection of HPV infection and one vaccine  (Gardisil) is now available for women. This vaccine protects against some of the strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer but cannot treat genital warts or cervical cancer once they have developed.

The only sure way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, genital warts included, is to avoid direct contact with the causative organism, in this case the human papilloma virus.

For most STDs the use of a condom creates the barrier necessary to prevent the transmission of the pathogen.  However, this appears not to be the case for genital warts as the virus can infect areas not covered by the condom. The Center for Disease Control advises that the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.  Restricting sexual activity to a monogamous relationship with a person confirmed to be "HPV free" would be advisable.

Beverly OMalley - About the Author:

Beverly Hansen OMalley is a nurse who is passionate about health promotion. Visit www.registered-nurse-canada.com where Bev explores the uniqueness of the nursing profession in Canada including comparison of nurse salary across the country, preparation for the Canadian nursing entrance test and how to become a nurse in Canada if you graduated in another country.

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Private Places: All About Genital Warts

Genital warts are very friendly and spread easily - in fact, it's estimated that if you have sexual contact just once with someone who has them, there's a 60 percent chance you'll get them yourself. Because of this, they are the most common sexually-transmitted disease caused by a virus that we know of - but are also relatively easy to treat in most cases. However, preventions is always better than cure...

A Warty Issue

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and can appear on both men and women. More than 30 different types of the nasty buggers can cause warts on our genitals, although there are 100 types of HPV warts in all. Some types of HPV warts show up on our hands and feet - Plantar's warts are the most common example - which most people would find preferable than on the penis or vagina!

In men, genital warts show up on or near the penis, anus and/or scrotum. In women, they appear on the vagina, vulva, cervix and anus. Usually they appear as little growths or tiny bumps that can be slightly raised, flat, reddish or flesh-colored - although occasionally they get quite noticeable and big. One problem is that they often don't appear at all - they can be so small that only a doctor scan see them with a microscope, and can cause no symptoms whatsoever.

Warts are passed on by sexual contact, and if you contract them it may take up to several months, and in some cases years, for them to appear. That means you can easily spread them to other people, as you may have no idea you have them yourself. Sometimes they go away without treatment, sometimes they don't. And they can lie dormant and reappear again - thus causing infection to others.

Why Worry?

You might wonder why we worry about these tiny warts, if they are often virtually invisible and cause no itching, burning, pain or discomfort (although in rare cases they do). The reason is because in women, HPV can cause cervical cancer. They cause problems with the cervix, or neck of the womb, so women who have had sex should have regular cervical smear tests to rule out HPV. In even more rare cases, HPV can also cause cancer of the penis, vulva, vagina and anus, as it causes abnormal cell changes which you may not notice for a long time.

Genital warts can also cause problems during pregnancy. They can get bigger and obstruct the birth canal, or bleed as the baby passes through it. Rarely, a baby can develop warts in the throat as they are being born. The vast majority of babies, however, are not affected, although some doctors prefer to either get rid of the warts if a woman is pregnant (see below) or deliver the baby through a C-section.

It is estimated that about half of all sexually active people are infected with the virus that causes genital warts, although not all of us actually develop the warts themselves. However, the US government has invented a female vaccine that can prevent against some strains of HPV - 6 and 11. That means it is effective only for females who have not come into contact with the virus, meaning girls who have not yet become sexually active. That's why so many girls get the vaccine at age 11 - 12, to protect them in later life. There is currently no vaccine available for men, although it is being investigated at the present time.

Prevention Better Than Cure

Genital warts, also known as venereal warts, can be burned off, cauterized, frozen off or made to disappear with laser therapy or surgery, but as they can lie dormant in the body there is no guarantee that they will not reappear at a later date. The best way to avoid getting them is to have the vaccine early, and to not have unprotected sex (the vaccine does not protect against all strains of HPV, nor does it protect against other STDs. That's what a condom is for, dum-dum).

Using a latex condom EVERY TIME you have vaginal or anal sex is important to protect yourself against a variety of annoying and/or potentially fatal sexually-transmitted diseases and infections, including HPV. But be aware that any type of close genital contact can spread warts, not just intercourse.

If you believe your or your partner may have genital warts, it's important to have a medical professional see you and sort it out. While some of the removal processes are not altogether pleasant, it's vital to get rid of those tiny little menaces. Women should also have regular Pap smear tests, and it's recommended that pre-adolescent girls get the HPV vaccine, although it does not protect against all strains of HPV. People who are HIV-positive should also pay attention to warts which can pose a bigger health risk, as well as gay men, who are more at risk of developing penile and anal cancers.

Keep in mind that if you allow genital warts to go untreated, not only will you run the risk of infecting others, but you are also doing yourself more harm. They become more persistent and aggressive the longer they are allowed to grow, and can result in cauliflower-like clusters on the body, which can be painful and unpleasant. So get yourself treated - before they grow bigger! And always use a condom....

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.

Yodle - About the Author:

Sarah Matthews is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dermatologist or more skin care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Private Places: All About Genital Warts

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