|
|
||||
 | ||||
|
 |
Genital Warts(Anogenital Warts; Condyloma Acuminata; Human Papillomavirus [HPV]; Penile Warts; Venereal Warts; Warts, Genital)DefinitionGenital warts are growths or bumps that appear:
The warts may be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large. Some may cluster to form a cauliflower-like shape. This condition is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Most people will be exposed to a form of HPV at some point in their lives. Not everyone will become infected or develop symptoms. Genital Warts  © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. CausesGenital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a family of more than 80 common viruses. Many types of HPV cause harmless skin warts . These warts are often found on the fingers or feet. Only a few types are thought to cause genital warts. HPV is easily spread during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner. About two-thirds of people who have sex with a partner who has genital warts will also develop them. Warts can take several weeks or months to appear. Risk FactorsRisk factors for HPV and genital warts include:
SymptomsGenital warts often look like fleshy, raised growths. They have a cauliflower shape. They often appear in clusters. In women, warts may be found in the following areas:
In men, warts are less common. If present, they are usually found in these areas:
The following symptoms may also occur:
Complications of HPVCancerMost strains of HPV that produce genital warts do not cause cancer. But certain strains may cause cervical cancer . Less commonly, cancers of the vulva, anus, or penis occur. It is important for women to have yearly Pap tests . This test can detect any HPV related problems. Pregnancy and Childbirth ComplicationsGenital warts may get larger during pregnancy. This may make it hard to urinate. Warts in or near the vaginal opening may also block the birth canal during delivery. DiagnosisGenital warts may be diagnosed by: Visual ExamA doctor can diagnose genital warts by looking at them. If external warts are found on a woman, then the cervix is usually also checked. A doctor may use a special solution to help find lesions that do not have classic features. Pap TestIf you get abnormal Pap test results, this may indicate HPV. But, your doctor will order more accurate tests, like a colposcopy , to diagnose HPV. Colposcopy and BiopsyDuring a colposcopy, the doctor uses a special device to see if warts are in the cervix and vagina. For a biopsy , the doctor takes a tissue sample and tests it. HPV TestingDuring an HPV test , a swab of cells from the affected area can be checked for certain types of HPV. TreatmentYour treatment depends on the size and location of the warts. Treatment helps the symptoms, but does not cure the virus. The virus stays in your body. Warts or other problems may recur. Treatments may include: Topical TreatmentsYour doctor may recommend one of these medications to be applied to the affected areas:
Cryosurgery, Electrocautery, or Laser TreatmentMethods that instantly destroy warts include:
These methods are used on small warts and on large warts that have not responded to other treatment. A large wart can also be removed surgically. For warts that keep coming back, an antiviral drug, called alpha-interferon, can be injected into the wart. PreventionThe only way to completely prevent HPV from spreading is to avoid physical contact with an infected partner. Latex condoms may help reduce the spread of HPV infection and genital warts. Condoms are not 100% effective. They do not cover the entire genital area. Other ways to prevent infection include:
VaccineThe vaccine Gardasil protects against four types of HPV. Studies have shown that the vaccine reduced the number of precancerous cervical cell changes for up to three years after the shot. The vaccine is routinely given to girls aged 11-12 years old, and a "catch-up" vaccine is given to young women who haven't been vaccinated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved the use of Gardasil in males aged 9-26 years old. Special ConsiderationsGenital warts are rare in children. This diagnosis may indicate sexual abuse. Abuse needs to be reported. RESOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Planned Parenthood CANADIAN RESOURCES: Health Canada Sex Information and Education Council of Canada References: Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia PA: Saunders; 2004. Condyloma acuminatum. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated June 2008. Accessed June 24, 2008. Dunne EF, Markowitz LE. Genital human papillomavirus infection. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 43:624. Genital wart. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genital-warts/DS00087 . Updated June 2009. Accessed July 21, 2009. Genital warts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/genital-warts.htm . Published 2006. Accessed June 24, 2008. Hanna E, Bachmann G. HPV vaccination with Gardasil: a breakthrough in women's health [review]. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2006;6:1223-1227. HPV vaccine information for young women. CDC website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/Hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm . Accessed February 20, 2009. Human papillomavirus and genital warts. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease website. Available at: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/human_papillomavirus/ . Updated June 2007. Accessed June 24, 2008. Lowy DR, Schiller JT. Papillomaviruses and cervical cancer: pathogenesis and vaccine development. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 1998;23:27-30. McLemore MR. Gardasil: introducing the new human papillomavirus vaccine. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2006;10:559-560. New vaccine prevents cervical cancer. FDA Consum. 2006;40:37. ¹5/18/2007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : The FUTURE II Study Group. Quadrivalent vaccine against human papillomavirus to prevent high-grade cervical lesions. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:1915-1927. ²5/11/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Winer RL, Feng Q, Hughes JP, O'Reilly S, Kiviat NB, Koutsky LA. Risk of female human papillomavirus acquisition associated with first male sex partner. J Infect Dis. 2008;197:279-282. ³10/23/2009 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : FDA approves new indication for Gardasil to prevent genital warts in men and boys. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm187003.htm . Published October 16, 2009. Accessed October 22, 2009. Last reviewed September 2009 by David Horn, MD, FACP Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2009 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
|
||
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |