Genital Warts
What are genital warts?
Genital warts are a skin infection, it is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Around 90% of the cases are caused by HPV type 6 and 11. Genital warts usually affect the genital area, such as vulva, walls of the vagina, cervix, penis, testicles, anus, sometimes even the tongue and top of the mouth.
How is it spread?
- Skin to skin contact with infected area
- Unsafe sex, such as vaginal, anal or oral sex
- Sharing sex toys
- Childbirth in rare cases
How common are genital warts?
Genital warts are one of the most common STI. According to the Department of Health statistics, in 2021, there were 1,074 cases of genital warts in men, which was 3.3 times the number in women.
What is Human Papillomavirus, HPV?
There are over 100 types of HPV, around 40 types enter the body during sexual contact. HPV can be categorized into cancerous (High risk) and non-cancerous (low risk) types. HPV lives in thin, flat cells called epithelial cells. These are found on the skin’s surface. HPV infection is a viral infection that commonly causes skin or mucous membrane growths (warts). HPV causes over 90% of anal and cervical cancers, around 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers and 60% of penile cancers.
Incubation Period
Genital warts appear from 2 weeks to 8 months or longer after contact with an infected person.
Common symptoms of genital warts
- Genital warts look like small cauliflowers or flesh-colored.
- Genital warts can appear on the penis, in and around the vagina; and in or around the anus
- Frequent urination, with burning sensation
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Itching or bleeding from your genitals or anus
- Abnormal white discharge from genitals
Though it is uncommon to develop warts in the mouth and throat areas, but HPV can be transmitted via unsafe oral sex and it can progress to oral cancer in some cases.
Males: Usually having small itchy or painless lumps appear on penis, scrotum or the anus.
Females: 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.
Screening options
- HPV DNA genotyping (suitable for all genders). Pap smear is often done at the same time for females.
- Pap Smear / pap test: This test detects abnormal cells in the cervix before they turn cancerous.
- Vinegar solution test: The doctor applies a weak vinegar-like (acetic acid) to the affected genital area, this turns warts white.
How to prevent genital warts?
- Practice safe sex
- Take the HPV vaccine
- Do not have sex with an infected person.
- Regular screening
- The person(s) you have had sex with must also be checked for genital warts and seek treatment when indicated.
For booking and package details:
HPV DNA Genotyping, including a pap test (Female): https://www.healthgene.com.hk/product/hpv-test/?lang=en
HPV DNA Genotyping (Male): https://www.healthgene.com.hk/product/hpv-dna-genotyping-test-for-men/?lang=en
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