Genital warts are very common. Health experts states that more than a million new cases of genital warts are diagnosed in the United States every year. Unfortunately, the number continues to increase. Based on the most recent health surveys, the prevalence of genital warts among citizens in the United States have increased twice faster than the prevalence rate of genital herpes in the past ten years.
However, not everyone who has the infection manifests symptoms. In fact, only one percent of the HPV infected population develops visible signs and symptoms. That is why you may actually have genital warts but not know about it.What causes Genital Warts?
Genital Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This refers to a group of viruses comprised of more than eighty types. All of these types can cause wounds, lesions, sores, and warts. The most common of these types are Type 6, Type 11, Type 16, and Type 18. Type 6 and 11 are considered as the low-risk HPV types because they are more associated with skin lesions and sores. In contrast, Types 16 and 18 are classified as high risk types since they can cause abnormal cell growth (neoplasia or dysplasia). Such cell malfunction can cause cancers of the cervix or the anus.How are warts passed on?
Although genital warts are very common, there are ways in avoiding victimization by this plague. To ensure your safety from genital warts, you should be aware of how the HPV virus spreads.a. The HPV virus can easily be transmitted from one person to another by having sexual intercourse. A person who is sexually active is also highly at risk for genital warts. Regardless of gender and your age, this group is very vulnerable to the infection.b. The HPV virus can spread not only through actual sexual intercourse. If a person has genital warts and you share the same sex toys, the virus will be transmitted just the same.c. You don’t need to have penetrative sex to get genital warts. The virus can be easily transmitted through skin to skin contact. Close genital contact can spread the virus.d. If you are having sexual intercourse with a person with genital warts, you can still get the HPV virus even if you are using a condom. This is because condoms do not cover the entire part of the genital area. As such, you are still highly at risk from transmission through skin to skin contact.e. The absence of genital warts in a person with HPV virus should not be regarded as an indication that HPV transmission is improbable. Keep it mind that even though genital warts are not visibly present, you can still get the HPV virus.f. If you have oral sex with a person that has genital warts or a person with the HPV virus, you can develop warts in your lips or in your mouth.g. If genital warts develop in your genital area, it is highly probable for you to develop warts around your anal area even without anal sex.h. If no lesions or sores are present from a person infected with the HPV virus, it will not be transmitted through kissing, hugging, sharing towels and utensils, bathing in the same pool, and using the same toilet.

Anal warts are uncommon skin infection also known as Condylomata acuminata. Warts are benign tumors of the epidermis.They are caused by virus known as human papilloma virus (HPV).

Anal Warts are tiny, pinhead sized blemishes around the anus for sometime now and thought they’d go away on their own. But that did not happen, in fact, these small bumps grew to become pea-sized. This relatively common and bothersome condition does not appear as anal wart alone; it may present itself as anal genital wart, common warts on hands and plantar warts on the feet too.

Causes

The virus responsible for genital warts is called human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus can cause warts on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, and around the anus.

HPV infection around the genitals is common, although most people have no symptoms. Even if you do NOT have symptoms, however, you must be treated to avoid complications and spreading the condition to others.

Although much remains to be learned about how the papilloma virus progresses, doctors have observed that the warm, moist environment in the genital area seems to favor wart growth. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during pregnancy and in patients with defective immune systems.

Symptoms

1· Raised, flesh-colored lesions on the genitals, anus, or surrounding skin

2· Cauliflower-like appearing growths around the anus or genitals

3· Increased dampness or moisture in the area of the growths

Signs and Tests

A genital examination reveals flesh-colored to white, flat or raised, single or clustered lesions anywhere on the genitalia.

In women, a pelvic examination may reveal growths on the vaginal walls or the cervix. Magnification (colposcopy) may be used to see lesions invisible to the naked eye. The tissue of the vagina and cervix may be treated with acetic acid to make the warts visible. A pap smear may note changes associated with HPV.

Treatment

Genital warts must be treated by a doctor. DO NOT use over-the counter remedies meant for other kinds of warts. Your doctor may treat genital warts by applying a skin treatment in the office. Or, the doctor may prescribe a medication that you apply at home several times per week.

Treatment of genital warts can be painful, and warts return after treatment in between 20% and 50% of people. Warts that return after being treated usually are not treated again unless you want to be retreated.

Surgical treatments include cryosurgery, surgical therapy:

Cryotherapy

A health professional applies liquid nitrogen to and around the warts.

First, the tissue is frozen with liquid nitrogen. Then, the tissue is allowed to thaw. The tissue is frozen again, if needed. The time of application varies by the health professional who applies the liquid nitrogen and the size of the warts.

The size and thickness of the warts determine the number and length of freeze/thaw cycles. Up to three treatments may be needed.

Surgery

Visible genital warts on the penis or vagina or around the anus are removed by excision, which means cutting the warts off with a surgical knife (scalpel). Warts on the cervix may be removed by laser or loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP).