|
Other names |
Venereal warts, condylomata acuminata. |
|
Cause |
Virus - Human papilloma virus
(HPV). |
|
Distribution |
Worldwide. |
|
Transmission |
- Sexual - Direct skin contact during
sex.
- Non-sexual - Occasionally, warts
from the hands may be transmitted to the genitals.
|
|
Incubation |
6 weeks to 8 months. |
|
Symptoms |
Warty or cauliflower-like growths
on and around the external genitals and anus, internal warts
(which usually go unnoticed) affecting the urethra, anal canal,
rectum, vagina and cervix. |
|
Diagnosis |
- Physical examination.
- Skin biopsy in atypical cases.
- Colposcopy (examination of the cervix
with a special magnifying instrument) may be used to detect early
wart infection of the cervix.
|
|
Treatment |
- Application of podophyllin, podophyllotoxin
or trichloacetic acid.
- Liquid nitrogen.
- Electrocauterisation (burning).
- Excision(cutting).
|
|
Complications |
- Genital warts may enlarge rapidly
during pregnancy and obstruct delivery.
- Infants may develop laryngeal papillomatosis
from ingesting infected secretions during its passage through
the birth canal.
Warts have also been linked with causing cancer of the cervix.
|
|
Comments |
- Pearly penile papules, a condition
which causes pin-headsized outgrowths arranged neatly in rows
on the base of the head of the penis may be mistaken for
genital warts. They are harmless and do not require tratment.
Yearly Pap (cervical cancer) smears are recommended because of
a possible link between wart infection of the cervix and
cancer of the cervix.
|
