GENITAL
WARTS
What
is it?
HPV is known by many names including venereal, anogenital,
or genital warts, and condylomata acuminata. It is
a viral infection of skin causing the growth of skin-colored,
cauliflower-like masses of various sizes and shapes as shown
by the arrows in this picture. (A tampon string
is in place as she was menstruating at the time this photo
was taken.) It has become very common over the
last two decades infecting anywhere from 3% to 28% of the
population.
Common
Signs & Symptoms
Several
weeks to months after being exposed to a sexual partner
with HPV, these painless growths occur on damp or moist
surfaces in either sex. Common locations include those
pictured as well as around the anus. They often begin as
tiny red spots and can grow quickly into cauliflower-like
masses. Infection of a woman's cervix with certain
strains of this virus can lead to cervical cancer.
It is crucial, therefore, for all women who have this disease
to have regular pap smears. (Actually, all women who
are sexually active need to have regular pap smears to look
for cervical problems.)
|
|
|
|
HPV
of the penis
|
HPV
on the cervix
(looking into the vagina through a speculum)
|
How's
it Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made when a physician sees the classic-shaped
growths. If there is any question, a sample of the
abnormal tissue (biopsy) can be taken and sent to the lab
for microscopic analysis. Cervical HPV is diagnosed
by taking a small sample of cervical cells with a popsicle-like
stick (pap smear) and preparing this specimen on a slide
for microscopic analysis.
How's
it Treated?
Like
most viral infections, there is no cure for Human Papillomavirus.
Treatment consists of destroying the infected cells, but
it often comes back due to infection of normal-appearing
nearby skin. If left untreated, genital warts may
go away on their own. One study showed that nearly
1/3 of all patients had spontaneous resolution of the growths.
For
those not wanting to wait to see if they disappear on their
own (e.g., most people), destruction of the abnormal cells
can be done via a number of methods such as freezing the
growths with liquid nitrogen, destroying the tissue with
laser surgery, using a blistering agent (such as podophyllin
- made from rain forest beetles), or burning them off with
a potent acid (e.g., trichloracetic acid). A
doctor trained in one of these techniques should be seen
to prevent damaging the normal surrounding tissue.
A
novel approach is to enhance ones own immune system to fight
off the genital warts. One such "immune-enhancer"
is a cream called imiquimod (Aldara). Imiquimod is
currently available by a doctor's prescription only, but
unlike the other treatments that require a health professional
to apply, Aldara is applied by the patient themselves, in
the privacy of their own home. The patient puts a
small amount of the cream on the warts three times a week.
Aldara is for the treatment of visible warts on the genitals
and perianal area. It is not for treatment of cervical
or intravaginal warts. Cervical or intravaginal warts
are usually treated with freezing or by surgically removing
the infected area.
How
do I avoid Getting It (Prevention)?
Abstinence, and perhaps correct condom
use may prevent transmission of this virus from one
person to the next. It is crucial that all infected
skin be covered to prevent skin to skin transmission.
Since multiple areas of skin touch during intimate encounters,
condom use is not terribly effective.
Additional
Information
Get additional information on this and other diseases by
clicking here.
