GENITAL WARTS

Genital warts are lesions of the genitalia and are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

There are over 150 viruses of this kind, 40 of which can infect the genital region.

Incidence

  • 8 in 10 women and 5 in 10 men will be infected by the virus at some point in their life
  • In 70% of cases, the infection recedes spontaneously, without treatment, in approx. 8 to 10 months
  • 10% of patients are still carriers of the virus after two years time

Patients who have been infected with the virus may never actually develop genital warts.

Transmission

The virus is transmitted when the skin comes into contact with the skin of an HPV carrier.

Risk factors

  • Smoking
  • Young age, due to greater sexual activity
  • Multiple sex partners
  • Stress
  • Existence of another STD

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is established by identifying the characteristic ivory-white or pink cauliflower-like or flat lesions

In males, the lesions are identified during the clinical examination of the genital region, anal area and oral cavity

In females, they are identified during the clinical examination of the genital region, in colposcopy, and investigation of the anal area and oral cavity.

Treatment

Depending on the number and size of lesions, they are removed with:

  • Topical ointments
  • Ablation
  • Cryotherapy
  • Surgery