What are Genital warts?

Genital warts, also known as condylomata acuminata or venereal warts, are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases. As the name suggests, genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. They may look like small, flesh-colour bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance. Genital warts may be as small as 1 millimetre in diameter — smaller than the width of a ballpoint pen — or may multiply into large clusters.

In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the area between the external genitals and the anus, and the cervix. In men, they may occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum or the anus. Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sexual contact with an infected person.
Although genital warts can be treated with medications and surgery, they are a serious health concern. The virus that causes them — the human papilloma virus (HPV) — has been associated with cervical cancer. It has also been linked with other types of genital cancers, such as cancer of the penis.

HPV is commonly known as the "wart virus", although there are more than 70 different types of HPV. It is a microscopic virus particle that infects the skin. HPV is one of the most common infections in the world, infecting approximately 40% of all humans.

Genital HPV is not necessarily genital warts. The 30 strains that infect the genital area are divided into 2 subcategories: Genital Warts and Cervical Dysplasia.

Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.

Signs and symptoms