A wart is a tiny, uneven swelling usually resembling a solid blister or a cauliflower seen on hands and feet. HPV genital warts appear in or close to the genital areas. Women get it on or near the vagina, cervix, or anus. For men, warts appear in or near the penis, anus or scrotum.
HPV genital warts as the name suggests is caused by particular type of virus called HPV (this is the short form of Human Papillomavirus). There are more than hundred different types of this virus. Types of viruses that cause the common warts aren’t the same as the ones responsible for genital warts.HPV can even lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus in women. In men, it can lead to cancers of the anus and penis. Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It spreads during vaginal, anal or oral sexual intercourse. Sometimes, during childbirth genital warts get transmitted to a baby from an infected mother.
HPV genital warts aren’t always visible to the naked eye and on most of the occasions they don’t usually itch or hurt, because of which at times people, may be unaware of their existence. It needs a close examination of the skin by a doctor to diagnose warts.
HPV genital warts can be treated in several ways depending on location, size and number of the warts. There are few small warts which can treated by applying medicines but, for larger warts doctors use laser and chemical to freeze them for removal later. These warts might be cured but one needs to know there is no treatment that can completely cure the HPV virus. Therefore, it is advised to use condoms at all times and more importantly to be in monogamous relationships.
