Genital wart
(Redirected from Venereal warts)
Genital warts, also known as condylomata acuminata or venereal warts, are symptoms of a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Etiology[edit | edit source]
Genital warts are primarily caused by the HPV types 6 and 11, which account for about 90% of cases. These types of HPV are considered "low risk" strains, which means they are less likely to cause cervical cancer, but they can cause changes in the cells of the cervix.
Transmission[edit | edit source]
HPV is primarily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected individual. The virus can also be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth.
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Genital warts are typically soft and skin-colored, but they can appear darker with a rough or smooth surface. They can present as a single wart or as multiple warts in a cauliflower-like cluster. They commonly occur on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh.
Complications[edit | edit source]
While the types of HPV that cause genital warts do not usually cause cancer, an individual can be infected with different strains of HPV at the same time. High-risk strains, such as HPV types 16 and 18, can cause cervical and other genital cancers. Regular screening is essential, especially for women, as HPV can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
While there is no cure for HPV, the symptoms can be managed. Several treatments are available for the warts themselves, including topical medications, cryotherapy, laser therapy, and surgery. It's important to note that even after treatment, the virus can remain in the body and warts may reappear.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
The best way to prevent genital warts is through safe sex practices and vaccination. The HPV vaccine is highly effective at preventing the HPV types most commonly linked to genital warts and cervical cancer.
References[edit | edit source]
- Giuliano AR, Lee JH, Fulp W, et al. (2011). "Incidence and clearance of genital human papillomavirus infection in men (HIM): a cohort study". Lancet. 377 (9769): 932–40. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62342-2.
- CDC (2021). "Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Saslow D, Solomon D, Lawson HW, et al. (2012). "American Cancer Society, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and American Society for Clinical Pathology screening guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer". American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 137 (4): 516–42. doi:10.1309/AJCPTGD94EVRSJCG.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD