10 top questions & answers

What is HPV?

There are more than 100 types of Human papillomavirus (HPV), one third of which are spread through sexual contact.

How many people have them?

HPV is one of the common sexually transmitted diseases.According to the Department of Health and Human Services it is estimated that there are 5.5 million new cases of HPV in the US each year. At least 20 million Americans are infected already.

What do they look like?

Genital warts are small fleshy pinkish-white cauliflower shaped growths. They are caused by the virus known as human papillomavirus. Men infected with HPV do not get the warts as much as women. The warts are usually on the tip of the penis, but may also appear on the shaft. Warts can also appear on the scrotum or around the anus and may spread to the area around the anus without having anal sex.Sometimes the warts can be seen around and in the mouth and throat of those who have had oral sex with an infected person. For pictures of genital warts click here

Can you be infected yet not have warts?

Yes. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have said that nearly half of the women infected with HPV had no “obvious symptoms”. Just because you do not have obvious symptoms does not mean you cannot infect others. Once you become infected it can take up to three months for the genital warts to appear.

How are genital warts diagnosed?

Not all warts are obvious to the naked eye. The doctor or health worker may apply a solution of weak vinegar-like solution which causes any warts to turn white. An internal examination of the anus may be carried out to check for hidden warts. If you believe you have been in contact with the HPV, even if you do not have any warts, see a doctor who will be able to advise you on treatment.

Treatments for human papillomavirus and genital warts

Unfortunately, like most viruses, there is no treatment that will get rid of the virus itself. The genital warts can be treated, however they may reappear at a later stage. Research is currently in progress on a vaccine to prevent infection or disease such as the genital warts and the pre-cancerous tissue changes which are discussed later in the article.

Treatment for the warts will depend on size and location, and are listed below:

• Imiquimod, an immune response cream applied to the infected area OR
• a 20 percent podophyllin anti-mitotic solution applied to the infected area and washed off later, OR
• a 0.5 percent podofilox solution applied to the infected area OR
• a 5 percent 5-fluorouracil cream OR
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)

The treatments should not be painful but if they are go see your doctor or health advisor. If your partner is pregnant they should not use the podophyllin or 5-fluorouracil treatments. Small warts can be surgically treated by laser treatment, cryosurgery (freezing them off) or by burning them off (electrocautery).The anti-viral drug alpha-interferon can also be used and is injected directly into the warts, however the drug is very expensive and seems to have little effect on the reoccurrence of the warts. It is probable that you may require more than one type of treatment before the warts go.

How can I stop being infected by genital warts or passing on the infection to others?

The only way to prevent getting them is to avoid all direct contact with the virus. As previously mentioned, there is no treatment currently available for the HPV virus itself. The genital warts, a symptom of the disease, do respond to treatment, but they usually do recur.Treatment for genital warts should be sought and completed before having sexual contact.Both you and your partner will require treatment and advice.

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