Genital warts is a symptom of some types of Human Pappillomaviruses, these viruses are highly contagious. There is a 70% risk of getting infected if you have unprotect sex with a partner that has genital warts. During sexual activity, it is very common for microscopic abrasions to form in the genital area and this is what makes it possible for the HPV virus to penetrate the skin and mucosal surfaces. After infection, a latency period that lasts from just a few months to several years is common. During this period, you will not notice any warts and you may not even be aware that you are infected.
Genital warts are caused by the HPV strains 6, 11, 30, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52 and 54. There is a vaccine called gardasil available on the market but is only effective against strain 6 and 11 as well as 16 and 18 that do not cause genital warts but can cause cervical cancer. However, the HPV-vaccine is still highly useful since HPV type 6 and 11 are the culprits behind 90% of all genital warts cases.
The vaccine is only useful if taken before you get infected and it is therefore good to get vaccinated as early in the puberty as possible. In many countries, parents are encouraged to have their daughters vaccinated during early puberty. The vaccine is in most countries not approved for use on genital warts in men, it has however been approved for us in men in the UK after studies showed that it was safe to allow.
If you have become infected with genital warts treatments are available that will remove the warts themselves, but the virus will remain in your body. Since genital warts treatment does not remove the HPV virus, the warts can come back later and will do so in about 50-75% of all cases. New studies have however shown that the immune system can clear the system of the virus to below measurable levels.
Genital warts in women typically appear inside and outside the vagina, at the opening to the womb, and/or around the anus. Genital warts can infect the mouth or troat of you have oral sex with an infected partner. Men often develop less severe symptoms, but noticeable warts may appear at the penis tip, on the shaft, on the scrotum and around the anus. Men and women alike can develop warts in the throat or mouth after oral sex.
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