| Basic Information |
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| Description |
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Warts in the genital area (including the urethra, genitals and rectum).
These are more contagious than other warts. They are a sexually
transmitted disease and can affect both sexes. Incubation period may
be several months' duration, so someone can have the infection and
have no signs or symptoms.
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| Frequent Signs and Symptoms |
Genital warts have the following characteristics:
- They appear on moist surfaces, especially the penis,
entrance to the vagina and entrance to the rectum.
- Warts may be small, flat, flesh-colored bumps, or tiny,
cauliflower-like bumps.
- Each wart measures 1 mm to 2 mm in diameter, but dusters
may be quite large. They may be so small that you can't see them.
- They may produce no symptoms, or cause itching, burning,
tenderness or pain.
- Genital warts in children may be a sign of sexual abuse.
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| Causes |
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Genital warts (termed condyloma acuminata) are caused by a sub type
of the same virus that causes other warts, the human papillomavirus
(HPV), but they are more contagious. They spread easily on the skin
of the infected person and are transmitted via sexual activity to
other people. They have an incubation period of 1 to 6 months, but
can take years to develop.
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| Risk Increases With |
- Presence of other sexually transmitted disease.
- Multiple sexual partners; not using condoms.
- Crowded or unsanitary living conditions; poor nutrition.
- Poor hygiene.
- Smoking.
- Immunosuppression.
- Vitamin A or folic acid deficiency.
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| Preventive Measures |
- Avoid having sex at all.
- Have sex only with someone you know does not have genital warts
and is having sex only with you.
- Using condoms may help prevent transmission; however, condoms
can't always cover all affected skin.
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| Expected Outcome |
- These small warts usually cause no symptoms. If untreated, some
will disappear spontaneously. However, because the virus may be
sexually transmitted, it is important to obtain medical treatment.
Warts themselves are not life-threatening. The warts may grow
rapidly during pregnancy, but often resolve postpartum.
- Recurrence is common.
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| Possible Complications |
- Female cervical disorders.; in males, urinary obstruction.
- In pregnancy, the warts can cause the skin of the vagina to
tear more easily and make it more difficult to repair if an
episiotomy or laparotomy procedure is performed. In addition, there
is a small risk that the newborn can acquire the infection whether
the birth is vaginal or by cesarean section. For this reason, the
infection in a mother is not a special reason to do a cesarean
section.
- Though some types of HPV infection carry an increased risk of
genital cancer, the type of HPV causing common genital warts is
normally not implicated in this group. More than 60 distinct types
of HPV have been identified to date.
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| Treatment/Post Procedure Care |
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| General Measures |
- The genital warts can often be diagnosed with a physical
examination. A vinegar-like solution placed on the skin turns the
warts white for easier diagnosing. Sexual partners should be
screened for the disorder also.
- Other diagnostic tests may include biopsy of tissue; colposcopy
, androscopy, anoscopy (all 3 involve use of a magnifying glass to
view body parts); end Pep smear.
- Treatment will be determined by size and location of warts.
Even though the warts can be removed, the viral infection can't be
cured This is why the warts often return. Pregnant women with
genital warts require special treatment.
- Small warts may be treated with topical applications.
- In some cases, application of liquid nitrogen to warts
(cryotherapy) freezes the tissue.
- Some larger warts require laser treatment, electrocoagulation
or surgical excision.
- Don't treat these warts yourself with nonprescription drugs
used for wart removal on the hands. They can make the genital area
very sore.
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| Medication |
- A topical medication may be prescribed for use at home. Apply
it carefully to avoid damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Use
petroleum jelly on surrounding tissue first. Don't apply to large
areas at one time. This may cause irritation or absorption of the
drug. Wash off after 4 hours. Keep the medication out of eyes.
- Alpha interface injections into each wart with a very small
needle may be recommended for some patients (usually considered
if other treatment methods are unsuccessful or warts recur
frequently).
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| Activity |
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No restrictions, except to avoid sexual relations until treatment is completed.
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| Diet |
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No special diet.
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| Notify Your Healthcare Provider If |
- You or a family member has symptoms ofgenital warts.
- The following occur after treatment:
- The treated area becomes infected (red, swollen, painful
or tender).
- Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, headache or
muscle aches.
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