Genital warts are caused by the
Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. It is the most common form of genital infection affecting millions of people every year. Genital warts are an extremely contagious sexually transmitted infection. The warts usually develop within 3 months of contact with an infected person. However, warts may appear sooner or later than 3 months after exposure. Many people infected with HPV have no symptoms; they may have an HPV infection without the genital warts.
Genital warts can appear as single or multiple bumps that are usually soft, moist and flesh-colored. They sometimes appear in clusters that resemble cauliflower-like bumps and can be either raised or flat, small or large. In women, genital warts are generally found in or around the vagina, vulva, cervix or rectum. In men, they can infect the penis, scrotum, rectum and even the urethra. Men and women with genital warts may complain about itching, irritation, or discharge, and in rare cases even bleeding or urinary obstruction.
During pregnancy, genital warts may cause a number of problems. This should be discussed with your health care provider. Genital warts may be removed to ensure a safe aned healthy delivery of the newborn. In rare case do infants born to women with genital warts actually develop warts. It is, however, a potentially life-threatening condition for the child.
If left untreated, genital warts can grow larger and the risk of infecting your partner increases. Also, certain types of HPV lead to abnormal cell growth which can ultimately lead to various forms of genital cancer, such as cervical cancer. For your own safety, it is important to treat genital warts immediately.
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