Genital warts (or Condyloma, Condylomata acuminata, or venereal warts)

is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease caused by some sub-types of human papillomavirus (known as HPV). It is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner.

Genital warts are the most easily recognized sign of genital HPV infection. They can be caused by strains such 6, 11, 30, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52 and 54 of genital HPV; types 6 and 11 are responsible for 90% of genital warts cases. Most people who acquire those strains never develop warts or any other symptoms. HPV also contributes to many cases of cervical cancer; types 16 and 18 account for 70% of cases.

Genital warts could occur in clusters and can be very tiny or can spread into large masses in the genital area. In women they occur on the outside and inside of the vagina, on the cervix to the uterus, or around the anus. They are approximately as prevalent in men, but the symptoms may be less obvious. When present, they usually are seen on the tip of the penis (where they are good visible). They also may be found on the shaft of the penis, scrotum, or around the anus.

Rarely, genital warts also can develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person.

Treatment

Rarely genital warts could disappear without treatment, but often develop a fleshy, spread and raised growth.

Depending on the size and location of the warts, and other factors, a doctor will offer one of several ways to treat them.

Podophyllin and podofilox should not be used during pregnancy, as they are absorbed by the skin and may cause birth defects in the fetus. 5-fluorouracil cream should not be used while trying to become pregnant or if there is a possibility of pregnancy.

Small warts can be removed by freezing (cryosurgery), burning (electrocautery), or laser treatment. Surgery is occasionally used to remove large warts that have not responded to other treatment.

Although treatments can remove the warts, they do not remove the HPV virus, so warts can recur after treatment. The body's immune system typically clears the virus from 8 to 13 months, but it occasionally remains in the body for a lifetime.

The state of the immune system determines the chances of removing the virus entirely and can be affected by factors such as HIV infection, certain medications, stress, or illness. There is even some suggestion that effective treatment of the wart may aid the body's immune response.

Misdiagnosis cautions

It is common misconception that hirsuties papillaris genitalis are genital warts. Hirsuties papillaris genitalis is not contagious and no treatment for it is necessary.

Genital warts (condylomata) should not be confused with Molluscum contagiosum (MC), which is often transmitted sexually, but does not occur internally as do condylomata. MC looks like small warts, which are much smaller than condylomata genital warts.

Genital warts should also not be confused with Fordyce's spots, which are considered benign.