Genital warts are fleshy growths or bumps seen most often in moist areas in and around the genitals and anus, including the inside of the vagina, cervix, the opening of the urethra, and may also be inside the anal canal. They are caused by a group of viruses called human papilloma virus (HPV).
HPV infection is very common. You may have the infection but not develop visible warts because your immune system keeps the virus under control. Other people may develop genital warts. This is why you can’t tell if you got the infection recently – the infection may have occurred some time in the past.
How do I get genital warts (HPV)?
The human papilloma virus is spread through direct skin to skin contact with a person infected with HPV. This occurs most commonly through sexual contact. HPV may be passed from person to person by sexual contact where there is skin to skin contact of the genital area. HPV may also be passed from mother to baby during labour and birth.
The virus can be passed from person to person even if there are no visible warts. The virus can live in the skin for many years and during that time can be passed on through sexual contact. This explains why genital HPV infection spreads easily among sexually active people.
How would I know if I had genital warts (HPV)?
HPV is diagnosed clinically by the presence of warts. You may have HPV infection and not be aware of this, as you may never develop warts.
Sometimes HPV infection causes visible warts. Warts are usually not painful, though women may notice an itch around the area, or experience discomfort or bleeding during sex. Occasionally, warts in the urethra or anus may cause bleeding during urination or bowel movements.
Certain types of HPV are associated with changes in the cells of the cervix (neck of the womb) which can be detected on Pap smears. These changes have the potential to become cancer of the cervix if they are not treated. All women should have a pap smear within twelve months to two years of becoming sexually active, and thereafter every two years.
How do I get tested for HPV infection?
You may check yourself and your partner/s for visible warts. Be aware that some of the lumps of bumps you detect may be completely normal. However, to be sure, you will need to have them checked by a health professional with training in sexual health.
If you think you have warts or have been exposed to genital warts, or, if you are worried about HPV infection, it is best to go to your doctor or sexual health clinic for a check up. In most cases, the presence of warts can be confirmed by checking the genital area. HPV infection may be present without any signs. At present there is no blood test or swab test available to detect HPV infection.
How can HPV or genital warts be treated?
There is no cure for HPV infection. However, visible warts can be treated by several means. Talk to your doctor or nearest sexual health clinic for more details.
How do you avoid getting warts or HPV?
It is unknown how long a person with HPV infection remains infectious or can pass the infection on to a sexual partner. The use of condoms for sex is encouraged. Using condoms will reduce the spread of HPV but will not completely remove the risk.
If visible warts are treated as soon as they appear, the spread of HPV is reduced. Even though the warts are gone HPV can still be living in the genital skin and it is still possible to transmit the virus to your partner.
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This article has been reproduced with the kind permission of Queensland Health. This government department in Australia retains copyright.