Genital warts is a highly common and contagious sexually transmitted infection that is viral in nature. It is caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV that can easily spread from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact during sex. Genital warts can be seen in clusters or can be very tiny for the eye to see. They can also spread in large masses in the genital of the anal area depending on the type of HPV virus that the person is infected with.

Genital warts is an infection that can be as prevalent in men as well as women. In men, it may not be as highly obvious as its presence can usually be seen at the tip of the penis. Some warts may also grow on the shaft and scrotum of the male sex organ and it may also be present in the anal area. In women, genital warts can grow inside ad outside of the vaginal and anal area and may spread to the cervix as well as the uterus.

Genital warts usually appear from two to four weeks after infection. It can take even months before the warts may become visible. The genital warts generally won’t be painful but they can become very itchy. The warts can be seen in different appearances- from flat out growths in the skin to cauliflower-like warts. People usually at risk with infection are those people that do not practice safe sex and those that have multiple sexual partners.

Genital warts may disappear even without treatment. There is no way to predict on when they will grow or disappear. But it is important to detect them as early as possible because a sudden burst of genital warts can suggest that there is a serious defect in the immune system that can possible be caused by HIV. It is wise for an infected person to contact a doctor immediately.

Genital warts are fairly easy to treat, most especially in the early stages when they are still small and few and have not yet spread. They can be treated by using podophyllotoxin, a cell toxin that can effectively eradicate genital warts. Other known treatments include, using trichloroacetic acid as well as other non-medical treatments such as pulse dye laser, liquid nitrogen cryosurgery or through cauterization.

Prevention of genital warts include avoiding sexual contact with an infected person. A condom may be able to prevent direct skin to skin contact, but it may not be able to adequately protect a person since genital warts may grow in areas of the skin that the condom may not be able to shield. A vaccine has also been developed that can help protect women from 90 percent of all genital warts and may be given to females from ages 9 to 26 years old. This vaccine is given only for women who have not contracted any HPV strains.