Genital warts symptoms

Physical signs of genital warts

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the leading cause of growths and infections of the skin. The virus is also among the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, infecting recipients with Condylomata Acuminata, more commonly known as genital warts or venereal warts.

Currently there are over 85 identified types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) known to exist. The virus causes rapid cell growth on the outer skin layers, resulting in growths commonly known as warts.

If you find that you are suffering from swollen growths that appear in the genital area as small areas of irritated skin, typically pink or red in color, you may be suffering from genital warts. This growth or area of skin may be accompanied by a burning sensation or high level of irritation, especially in areas where the genital warts may contact clothing.

If the virus should cause growths that cluster together in the same area, the infection may take on a raised cauliflower type appearance that looks cracked or is rough to the touch, resembling the common wart in appearance. Genital warts may also form as flat growths that can only be detected with a magnifying device by your doctor after applying a solution to the genital area to help make the warts more pronounced for viewing. Genital warts differ from the common wart in that they grow in the warm, moist genital areas of the body.

Approximately 30 strains of the Human Papilloma Virus are known to lead to genital warts. Although classified as a sexually transmitted disease, genital warts are not transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids during sexual intercourse. The highly contagious genital warts are transmitted through skin to skin contact, and sexual intercourse is not necessary for the virus to transfer.

Physical symptoms of genital warts and the degree to which they are present depend largely on your immune system. For some, the physical signs of genital warts may appear in months—for others, years.

Annually, approximately 5.5 million new cases of the Genital Human Papilloma Virus are reported, and it is believed that of the roughly 20 million Americans known to have genital HPV, less than 4% of these people have been diagnosed or are being treated. Most people show no physical symptoms and do not know that they have the virus.

For men, physical symptoms typically result in wart growths on the head of the penis, the shaft of the penis, or randomly on the scrotum or around the anus. For women, genital warts can develop on the vulva or anus. Women may also develop genital warts on their cervix, which is only detectable through an exam by a gynecologist. In both sexes, there have been instances of genital warts growing on the inner thigh or groin area.

If you suspect that you have genital warts or know that you have been exposed to them, seeking medical advice from your primary care physician is the best place to begin to plan a course of action for diagnosis and treatment.

However uncomfortable or embarrassing the subject may be to you, it is important that you talk openly and honestly with your doctor to ensure the best possible treatment in the event that you have contracted the virus.