Genital
Warts/HPV
(caused
by human papillomavirus - HPV)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Most people have no symptoms
• Develop within weeks or months after exposure, or
not at all
• Soft fleshy lumps on or near genitals or anus
• Itching or burning around genitals
• Warts may be hidden in the vagina or anus
• The warts may go away with treatment, but the HPV
infection can persist
• In over 50% of women, HPV disappears
spontaneously
within 2 years after infection
Genital warts are spread by:
• Vaginal sex
• Oral sex (rare)
• Anal sex
• Contact with infected person’s warts
• Infected mother to newborn (very rare)
• Warts/HPV may be spread even if no warts are visible
because the virus may be present on areas not
protected by a
condom
If left untreated, genital warts can:
• Spread to sex partners
• Be passed to newborn during childbirth; can cause
warts in infant’s throat (very rare)
Some virus strains lead to abnormal Pap tests and
increased risk of cervical cancer, but these strains do not
cause visible warts. Sexually active women should have
yearly Pap tests starting 3 years after they first had sex.
HPV may also play a role in cancers of the anus, mouth/
throat, penis, and vagina.
A physician may perform a special test to identify the
cancer-associated
strains.
• A vaccine is now available for females 9 – 26 years of
age to protect against 4 types of HPV that cause most
cases of genital warts and cervical cancer.
• Avoiding vaginal, oral or anal sex is the best way to
prevent STDs.
• Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly,
can reduce the risk of HPV infection only when the
infected areas are covered by the condom. Using
condoms may also help protect against HPV-related
diseases such as cervical cancer.
• Always use latex condoms during vaginal/anal sex.
• Use a latex condom for oral sex on penis.
• Use a latex barrier (dental dam or condom cut in half)
for oral sex on a vagina or anus.
• Limit the number of sex partners.
TESTING AND TREATMENT
• Get an exam from a medical provider if infection is suspected.
• Warts can be treated, but HPV cannot be cured.
• HPV requires medical treatment by doctor.
• Drugstore treatment for other kinds of warts may be
harmful if used on genital warts.
“High risk” HPV strains that cause cancer do not cause
visible genital warts. But, high-risk strains may be
present along with visible warts.
The body may eventually clear the virus with or without
treatment.
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