STIs 3: Genital Warts (HPV)

Genital Warts (HPV)

Basic facts:

Genital warts are an STI caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is passed between people by contact with a wart or skin in and around the genitals of the infected person.
HPV infection and genital warts are very common among sexually active people.
Many people with HPV do not have genital warts.

Symptoms:

Warts or bumps on the genitals, anus, or surrounding areas

Complications:

In pregnant women, hormonal changes can cause the warts to grow in size or number, bleed, or make delivery difficult. The warts will shrink on their own after delivery.
A baby can become infected during pregnancy or delivery and develop warts on the genitals or anus, or in the throat.

Prevention:

Although genital warts can be removed, HPV can stay in the body after removal. If this is the case, the warts can come back and HPV can still be transmitted to others.
An infected client should avoid sexual contact throughout the course of treatment and should inform all sexual partners about the infection (if possible) and encourage them to come to the clinic for more information and treatment—even if a partner does not have any symptoms. If abstinence is not possible, the client should use a male or female condom during anal, oral, or vaginal sex.

Some types of HPV cause abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix, which, if left untreated, can lead to cervical cancer. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are different from those types that cause cervical cancer.