Genital warts are a skin
infection with growths on or around the genitals or
anal area. It is spread by direct contact with open
lesions, usually during sex.
What causes it?
The virus called Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) causes it.
According to the Department of Health statistics in 2007, there were 1,793 cases of genital warts in men, which was 3.1 times more common than women.
What are
the common symptoms?
Genital warts appear between two
weeks to eight months after contact with an infected person.
For men, the most likely symptom
is having small itchy or painless lumps appear on penis,
scrotum or the anus.
For women, the cauliflower-shaped
lumps can appear around the vulva or inside the vagina where
they are hard to notice. If a woman has warts on her cervix,
this may cause slight bleeding.
What are the complications?
Warts often go away by
themselves after a period of time. But this may be
months or years.
How
can I prevent it?
Practise safer sex behaviour
can reduce the risk of infection:
Have sex with only one partner who is not infected
and who is having sex only with you.
Use condom properly. However, condoms cannot
provide complete protection if warts are on areas
not covered by a condom.
How do I find out if
I have genital warts?
If you see wart-like bumps
on your sexual organs, you need to be examined by
a doctor who usually can tell whether you have genital
warts just by looking. Sometimes the doctor may apply
a weak vinegar-like solution to the affected genital
area. This turns any warts white. For hidden warts,
the doctor may carry out an internal examination of
the anus or vagina (in women).
What
is the treatment?
This infection cannot be
cured, but it can be treated and managed. Genital
warts can be treated by chemical freezing or burning,
or by laser therapy. Topical treatment can be prescribed
to reduce the size and number of warts.
You have to return to your
doctor or clinic for regular follow up to check the
progress and make necessary changes in your treatment.
Never try to treat genital
warts by yourself. Always seek medical advice.
How can I help myself?
If you have genital warts,
there are things you can do for yourself and your
partner:
Keep your genitals clean and dry.
Do not use scented soap and bath oils as these
may irritate the warts.
Use condoms when having sex. Condoms can reduce
the risk of transmission of the wart virus, but
parts of the body not covered may not be protected
(e.g. the scrotum).
The person(s) you have had sex with must also
be checked for genital warts and seek treatment
when indicated.
If you have any suspicions,
you should seek medical advice.
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