Sexually Transmitted Infections

GENITAL WARTS

What are Genital Warts?

  • Genital warts are very common.
  • They are transmitted from one person to another during sex.
  • They are caused by a virus – Human Papilloma Virus (HPV.)
  • Certain types of this virus only affect the genital skin, (skin of the penis, vulva and around the anus) other types will only affect the hands and feet. This is why hand warts do not spread to the genital skin. (ANATOMY DIAGRAMS)
  • 80% of the adult population carry the genital wart virus, but most people do not have any symptoms so are not aware that they can infect others. A much smaller proportion of people are aware that they have the infection because they have symptoms.

What are the Symptoms?

  • Human papilloma virus causes lumps on the genital skin, which you might see or feel. They can be flat and smooth or cauliflower like and rough.
  • They can affect the skin of the penis and vulva and around the anus.
  • They can sometimes be itchy but they do not hurt.

How are the warts transmitted?

  • Warts are transmitted by skin to skin contact during sex.
  • Penetrative sex does not need to occur for this to happen.
  • To reduce your chances of picking up warts a condom should be put on before there is any close genital contact.
  • If you have picked up warts there is a good chance that you have been infected with another sexually transmitted infection, which may not be giving you any symptoms. It is worth having a full screen for sexually transmitted infections to find out if you do require treatment for another infection.

How are warts diagnosed?

There is no test to see if you carry human papilloma virus. A doctor will usually be able to tell by examining you whether the lumps you have noticed are genital warts.

How are warts treated?

  • Our bodies control human papilloma virus infection by producing antibodies. It takes each of us a varying length of time to do this.
  • There are some treatments available which can help our bodies control the warts.
  • All of the treatments take time to work, but most patients will have cleared their warts within 12 weeks of starting a treatment course.
  • Warts can be treated by yourself at home with paints and creams, which are easy to apply. Sometimes the nurse or doctor who sees you in the clinic will use liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts.

Should I tell my partner?

If you have genital warts you should tell your partner. If they do not have any warts to see they do not need to come for a check up unless they want to be screened to ensure that they do not have another sexually transmitted infection.

How ling will the warts take to go?

  • Most people will have cleared their warts within 12 weeks of starting treatment.
  • Many people will clear their warts without any treatment at all.
  • Smokers can take longer to get rid of their warts.

Will the warts come back?

Smokers are at risk of the warts coming back OR of developing problems with the genital skin when they get older because they never clear the wart virus infection completely from their bodies. This does not happen very often in non-smokers who have genital warts.

What are the long term implications of Genital Warts?

  • HPV is the same virus that can cause cervical smears to be abnormal.
  • All women should have 3 yearly cervical smears for this reason.
  • Women who have genital warts do not have to have cervical smears more frequently.
  • Male and female smokers who are infected with certain types of HPV are at risk of developing pre skin cancer and skin cancer in the genital skin when they get older.
  • Non smokers are far less likely to have this problem.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GENITAL WARTS PLEASE CONTACT THE HEALTH ADVISORS AT GUM NINEWELLS ON 01382 632 600.