Genital Warts - One of the Most Common STDs

The human papilloma virus (HPV) causes genital warts. There are more than 100 types of HPV but 30 can infect the genital area. These types are highly contagious and spread through sexual contact with an infected person. Once a person is infected, warts usually develop three weeks to six months after infection.

The warts may appear on the penis, vagina, vulva, anus, urethra or cervix. It is also possible to have them in your mouth, on the lips, tongue and palate, or in the throat.

They are often flesh-colored, soft to the touch, and look like miniature cauliflower florets. They are seldom painful, but can itch and burn during sexual intercourse. Sometimes there may be no symptoms or so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Physicians can usually diagnose warts with a simple physical examination. Magnifying instruments called a colposcope detect warts not seen with the naked eye. Wart tissue samples rule out other disorders such as cancerous growths. However, the types of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause cancer. Sometimes people have more than one HPV infection at a time, and may carry the type that causes the cancerous growths.

There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of infection:

1. Use a condom every time.

2. Avoid sexual contact with someone who has it.

3. Limit the number of sexual partners.

4. Stop smoking. Smokers develop warts more often than nonsmokers do.

5. Protect your immune system with a healthy lifestyle.

Gardasil, a new vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration, offers protection from the most dangerous types of HPV. The recommended vaccination is for girls' ages 11 and 12. Girls 13 to 26 may receive the vaccination, also. The vaccine is most effective before becoming sexual active.

See a doctor immediately if bumps or warts develop in the genital area or a sexual partner has developed them or diagnosed with them. Women should have regular pelvic exams and Pap tests to detect any changes caused by genital warts or cervical cancer.

Often, genital warts fade away by themselves. When they do need removing, there are various treatments. Topical treatments, for home use or clinical use, are applied directly to the warts. Warts that do not respond to medications may need surgery. Surgery includes cryotherapy (freezing), electrocautery (burning), surgical excision (cutting), or laser treatments.

As with genital warts or any other STD, the infected person should abstain from all sexual activity until all tests have indicated that the disease is no longer present. All sexual partners of the infected person should be notified and tested accordingly.