Some types of HPV may be responsible for causing genital warts, but not all types may cause the condition. These types of HPV may not be the same as those causing cervical cell changes or cervical cancer. A person may be at a greater risk of developing genital herpes if the person has more than one sexual partner, has a sexual partner that has more than one sexual partner, is under the age of 18 or has a weakened immune system that makes it harder for the body to fight off infection.

Many patients who have genital warts may not know the virus is present. Many people may not experience any symptoms or the symptoms may be so mild that they do not notice. Patients that do have symptoms may experience pain, itching and bleeding.

The first symptoms may not appear until 2 or 3 months after infection. Still, it may be possible that symptoms present themselves 3 weeks to years after infection. Genital warts may only be present and visible when the virus is active, but spreading the disease may still be possible when no warts are visible.

Genital warts may go away on their own, but many people with genital warts may choose to treat the condition. Patients may choose to treat genital warts because of the possibility of the virus spreading or because of the symptoms.

A doctor may prescribe medicine for treating the warts. A doctor may also remove the warts using a laser, surgically or by freezing the warts. Treating or removing visible warts does not get rid of the virus, as it may still be possible to spread the virus to others even when symptoms may not be present.

   Collapse Article