Genital Warts Information

Date: July 2004

Diagnosis

Your doctor or medical professional will likely perform a visual examination of the infected area. In some cases the warts may not be obvious to the naked eye so a solution containing acetic acid (vinegar) may be poured onto the area to help detection. The solution makes the warts turn white and more visible. However, even this method does not produce certain results.

For women, a pap smear may be used to indicate the presence of genital warts.

No reliable blood test can detect the presence of genital warts.

Transmission

Genital warts are very contagious and are passed on through skin to skin contact with an infected person. This includes oral, vaginal or anal sex. Transference can also occur through the sharing of sex toys.

The use of condoms during sex does not prevent contracting genital warts as the condom only covers the penis.

Symptoms

Genital warts can appear in many visible forms such as large or small, flat or raised, one or many, or even no visible signs at all. They appear on or around the genital and anal area of both men and women.

Effects

Women who have contracted genital warts internally (on the cervix or the womb) may be affected during child birth.

Another concern is the link between some forms of the Human Papilloma Virus and cervical cancer. Women are advised to have regular cervical smear tests.

Treatment

Depending on the size and location, genital warts can be treated by one of many medications on market such as Imiquimid, Podofilox and Podophyllin. Alternatives to medicated treatments include freezing, burning or laser surgery to remove the warts.

Although treatments can successfully remove all visible warts, the virus that produces the genital warts can remain dormant in the body. Reoccurrence of infection can happen at various intervals.

Pregnant women can be successfully treated for genital warts using alternatives methods. However, women should note the medicated treatments have not been proven to be safe during pregnancy.

Prevalence

Approximately 6.2 million Americans get a new case of Genital Warts otherwise known Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) each year.

In most other countries genital warts is not a notifiable disease and therefore statistical information on infection rates is not altogether reliable.