Genital Warts

human papilloma virus (HPV)
condylomata acuminata

Symptoms
Genital warts are growths or bumps that appear in the anus or on the penis, scrotum, groin or thigh. They may be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large. Some cluster together forming a cauliflower-like shape.

Self-diagnosis may be unreliable. Other infections may be mistaken for genital warts and will require different treatments. Some conditions that have similar appearances are secondary syphilis, hemorrhoids, skin tags, and, rarely, certain skin cancers. Others that often occur on the penis include:

To detect warts or other abnormal tissue, health care providers sometimes put a solution of acetic acid (like vinegar) on the genitals. This causes abnormal tissue to turn white and makes it easier to see, especially if it is viewed through a magnifying lens such as a colposcope. This is not a specific test for HPV but is commonly used in detecting cervical HPV infection.

[a pic is f#cking hard to find, but I'll keep looking...]

Infection
Genital warts are passed on by direct contact with infected areas.

Treatment
There are many different opinions about how to treat genital warts. The guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include the following treatment information:

  • The goal of treatment should be to remove visible genital warts and get rid of annoying symptoms. None of the available treatments is better than another, and no single treatment is ideal for all cases.
  • Podofilox solution or gel is a patient-applied treatment for external genital warts. It is relatively cheap, easy to use, and safe.
  • Imiquimod cream is a patient-applied treatment for external genital warts and perianal warts. It is safe, effective, easy to use, and offers an alternative to tissue-destructive therapies.
  • Cryotherapy (freezing off the wart with liquid nitrogen) is relatively inexpensive, but must be performed by a trained health care provider.
  • Podophyllin is a chemical compound that must be applied by a health care provider.
  • Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is another chemical applied to the surface of the wart by a physician.
  • Laser therapy (using an intense light to destroy the warts) or surgery (cutting off the warts) has the advantage of getting rid of warts in a single office visit. However, treatment can be expensive and the health care provider must be well-trained in these methods.
  • The antiviral drug interferon is sometimes used, but less expensive therapies work just as well with less discomfort.

Factors that might influence selection of treatment include size, location, and number of warts, changes in the warts, patient preference, cost of treatment, convenience, adverse effects, and provider experience.

Whatever the treatment, here are some important points to remember:

  • Ask your doctor for an explanation of the treatment, including its costs and likely benefits.
  • Avoid treatments which cause bad side effects or scarring.
  • Be sure you understand the follow-up instructions, such as what to do about discomfort and when to come back to the office or clinic.
  • Be patient--treatment often takes several visits and a variety of approaches.
  • Don't use drug store treatments for warts. These are not meant for sensitive genital skin.
  • Some experts suggest avoiding sexual contact with the infected area during treatment. This is partly to protect the treated area of skin from friction and help it heal.

None of the available treatments is a cure for HPV. The virus can remain in nearby skin after treatment. Because the virus can lie dormant in the cells, in some cases warts can return months or even years after treatment. In other cases, warts never recur

References:
NOTE: I do not necessarily endorse these sites or the messages they carry - They are just sites that I got some info from.





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