Genital Warts
Dr. Melek Büyükkınacı Erol MD - O&G Surgeon and IVF Specialist
Genital Warts: Symptoms, Transmission Routes and Treatment Methods
What are Genital Warts?
Genital warts are the result of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, most commonly occurring in the genital area, around the anus and rarely in the mouth in both men and women. These warts, which have a cauliflower-like appearance, sometimes appear as a single mass or as multiple painless papillary formations.
Transmission Process of Genital Warts
After exposure to the HPV virus, it can take several months, sometimes even several years, for warts to appear. The virus can sometimes remain in the body for years without causing any symptoms. However, in the vast majority of patients, symptoms appear within 2-6 months. Contagiousness is highest in the presence of active genital lesions. After treatment of the warts, the longer the time without reappearance, the lower the contagiousness.
HPV and Condyloma Transmission Ways
Condylomas can be transmitted through any sexual intercourse with individuals who have genital HPV disease. Not everyone who comes into contact with the HPV virus becomes infected; however, in 60-90% of people with condylomas, the virus has been detected in their partner. Once in the body, the virus can remain silent for many years and can occur in anyone who is sexually active. Many sexually active people can be carriers of the HPV virus.
How is Genital Wart Diagnosed?
The sight of genital warts is enough to confirm the diagnosis of HPV in both men and women. Sometimes some acid-containing solutions can be used to determine whether there are warts by color changes in the skin. In the absence of visible lesions, it may be necessary to examine the cervix with a device called a colposcope. In suspicious cases, a small tissue sample from the lesion can be taken for pathologic examination to provide a definitive diagnosis. However, usually the lesions are so typical that a visual examination by a physician is sufficient to diagnose HPV and genital warts. It is not possible to detect HPV with a blood test because it does not enter the bloodstream.
Genital Wart Treatment Methods
The most common and successful methods of surgical treatment of genital warts are burning (cauterization) or freezing (cryotherapy) of the lesions. Laser surgery is also used effectively to treat warts. Some large lesions may require surgical removal. Except for freezing, other surgical interventions are usually performed under local or preferably general anesthesia.
Prevention Ways of HPV and Genital Warts
HPV infections can be easily transmitted through sexual intercourse, frictional contact and skin-to-skin contact. Therefore, anyone who is sexually active is at risk of HPV infections. The use of condoms does not provide complete protection against HPV, because the infection can also be found outside the area covered by the condom and can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.
Protection with HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine does not remove or treat existing warts and the virus. The vaccine only protects against certain types of HPV that can be acquired in the future. It is therefore recommended to vaccinate young girls and boys from the age of 9, preferably those who have not had sexual intercourse. The vaccine is administered in 2 doses under the age of 15 and 3 doses at the age of 15 and above. In many countries around the world, vaccination of both girls and boys has been included in the routine vaccination scheme.
It is not recommended during pregnancy, but can be safely administered during postpartum breastfeeding. In particular, HIV carriers, immunocompromised individuals and people at risk for HPV (such as people with multiple partners) should be vaccinated.
The vaccine does not completely eliminate the risk of cervical cancer; therefore, it is important to continue prevention after vaccination, including regular smear tests and, if necessary, screening of the cervix with colposcopy. For HPV carriers, those with lesions and those with active genital warts, the vaccine only protects against other HPV types that they have not yet acquired.