Genital Warts

What are Genital Warts?

HPV is the virus that causes genital warts that are among the most common sexually transmitted diseases. HPV is so common that almost every man and woman who is sexually-active will get it at some time in their life. There are many different types of HPV.

Certain types can cause health problems, including genital warts and cancers. Genital warts are bumps on the skin that appear on or around the genital or anal area. They are caused by certain types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

More than 100 different types of HPV exist, and approximately 40 strains are sexually transmitted. Some types of HPV cause warts on different parts of the body, such as plantar warts and common warts on the hands. Certain HPV types may lead to certain forms of cancer – these are called high-risk types of HPV. Only a few HPV types cause genital warts.

Most genital warts are caused by one or two types of HPV, types 6 and 11. Warts can occur in the mouth or the genital area – vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis or scrotum. They are transmitted from person to person through skin contact, usually during sex.

How do they spread?

HPV enters the body through a small incision or rupture in the skin’s outer layer or due to direct friction. The virus is mainly transmitted through skin contact.

Genital infections, condylomas, are transmitted through sexual contact, anal sex and other skin-to-skin contact in the genital area.

Certain HPV infections that lead to lesions in the mouth or upper respiratory system are caused by oral sex.

The warts can be transmitted through contact with the infected skin of the genital region or the mucosa. HPV infects the skin that is usually not covered by the condom, so the use of condom does not protect completely a person from getting the virus.

In addition, many people do not realize that they have been infected by HPV, and may not have any symptoms, so their sexual partners may ignore that they have been infected or they are spreading the virus. In any case, the fact that condoms are not used during the “foreplay” reduces its effectiveness

When do warts appear, Symptoms of Genital Warts

Genital warts usually appear as soft, flesh-coloured bumps on the skin. They may grow in more than one area and they may be accumulated in clusters. Warts are usually painless, but they may cause itching.

You may be able to see or feel the genital warts in the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, anus or urethra. Furthermore, it is possible – but rather unlikely – to appear in the mouth, on the lips, tongue and palate or in the throat.

Warts usually appear 6 weeks to 6 months after infection, but it may take longer.

They often grow faster during pregnancy or when a person’s immune system is compromised due to:

• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• HIV / AIDS
• Hodgkin’s Disease
• The use of anti-rejection drugs after organ transplantation

Diagnosis of Genital Warts

The Dermatologist, Dr. Christos Stamou, can diagnose HPV infection after visual check for any warts or lesions.

If the warts are not visible, one or more of the following examinations may be required:

• Acetic acid solution test. The physician applies a special solution to HPV-infected genital areas that turns them white. This may help in identifying the level of difficult-to-see lesions.
• Pap Test. The physician collects a sample of cells from your cervix or vagina to send for laboratory analysis. Pap Test can reveal abnormalities that can lead to cancer.
• HPV DNA testing by PCR. This test can recognise the DNA of the high-risk varieties of HPV that have been linked to genital cancers. The test is conducted on cells from your cervix. It is recommended for women 30 and older in addition to the Pap test. In addition, the same test can be carried out through blood sampling or removal and check of the cutaneous lesion.