A sexually transmitted illness called Condyloma acuminata (genital warts) develops tiny, skin-colored or pink growths on the labia, at the vaginal entrance, Best Genital warts or at or within the anus. Infections brought on by sex are most frequently genital warts in the US. Despite the fact that both sexes can develop warts, more female patients than males are diagnosed with warts.
CAUSES OF GENITAL WARTS:
The human papillomavirus is the culprit behind genital warts (HPV). There are more than 100 distinct varieties of HPV, and each one can lead to a different set of issues. Warts are most commonly caused by HPV types 6 and 11, while cervical cancer is most commonly caused by types 16 and 18. The HPV strains that result in warts seldom lead to malignancy. (Read “Patient Education: Cervical Cancer Screening (Beyond the Essentials)” for more information.)
Direct skin-to-skin contact, such as during sexual activity, oral sex, anal sex, or any other contact with the genital region, is how HPV is transmitted (eg, hand-to-genital contact). HPV cannot be contracted by coming in contact with a toilet seat. The majority of those who carry the virus do not have obvious warts, but they can still spread it. dealing with the warts
GENITAL WARTS SYMPTOMS:
Warts can be smooth and flat or elevated and have a rough feel. They are skin-colored or pink. They can also be found near or inside the anus, however their typical locations are on the labia or at the vaginal entrance.
Most wart-afflicted ladies have no symptoms at all. Less frequently, there can be vaginal pain, burning, or itching.
GENITAL WARTS DIAGNOSIS:
An examination is used to diagnose genital warts. Your doctor or nurse may take a biopsy if they are unsure if the location is a wart (remove a small piece of tissue). Adults with Condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts): Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Diagnosis
GENITAL WARTS TREATMENT:
Genital warts can be treated in a variety of methods, including with drugs and surgery. It’s likely that the warts will return in a few weeks or months, even with therapy. This is due to the fact that the virus (HPV) that causes the warts does not always disappear after treatment. It’s possible that some HPV-infected cells still exist in the normally looking genital skin and vagina. The majority of people will remove the virus and the warts with their own immune systems within two years, but there is currently no therapy that can completely eradicate HPV in all affected cells. (Read about how to treat vulvar and vaginal warts caused by Condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts) here.)
The “optimal” wart therapy will depend on your personal preferences, the number and location of your warts, your overall health (such as whether you are pregnant or have an immune system problem), and other factors. In particular, if a wart is not irritating, it may not be necessary to cure it. In order to prevent the vaginal entrance from being blocked, your doctor or midwife may advise treating big warts while you’re pregnant. It is unclear if treating warts during pregnancy would stop HPV from entering the foetus.
GENITAL WARTS FOLLOW-UP:
Getting rid of warts does not always imply that the virus (HPV) that caused them has disappeared. Warts typically return three to six months after treatment, if at all. Those with compromised immune systems are more likely to have this issue (such as diabetes, HIV, or certain medications).
GENITAL WARTS PREVENTION:
HPV vaccine — There are two vaccinations available to prevent genital warts: the quadrivalent (marketed as Gardasil) and the 9-valent (marketed as Gardasil 9). Four forms of HPV (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) are helped by Gardasil, while Gardasil 9 adds five more types of HPV prevention. The majority of instances of cervical cancer and genital warts (caused by HPV 6 and 11) will be prevented by these vaccinations (caused by HPV 16, 18, and the other five HPV types). In the US, Gardasil 9 is the only option. Warts that have already formed or an HPV infection cannot be treated with the vaccinations.
Another vaccination, Cervarix, helps prevent HPV type 16 and 18 infection, which helps to prevent the majority of occurrences of cervical cancer, however.
Avoiding sexual contact with those who have genital warts or HPV can lower your chance of contracting the virus. Practically speaking, this is challenging since many patients have HPV infection but no visible warts. Condoms do not completely protect against warts or HPV; HPV can transmit from one person to another in places not covered by the condom.
Have an open discussion with your partner before engaging in sex if you are concerned about infecting them with genital warts or HPV. Tell them you have HPV, that it’s fairly common, and that the majority of individuals don’t have any symptoms. There isn’t a test available to check for genital HPV. A test to detect HPV is available on the
WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION:
The finest source of information for queries and worries pertaining to your medical issue is your health care practitioner.
On our website (www.uptodate.com/patients), this material will be updated as necessary. Also, there are relevant patient concerns and a few pieces created for medical professionals. This is a list of a few of the most important.
Information at the patient level:
UpToDate provides two different kinds of patient education resources.
The Basics — The Basics patient education materials address the four to five most important queries a patient can have regarding a certain ailment. Patients who like brief, simple reading materials and who want a general overview might choose these articles.