HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a type of virus that causes warts
on people. A few types cause warts on hands and feet, but many other types
cause warts on the genitals. These warts can be as big as a nickel or so
small that you can't see them.
SYMPTOMS
Your doctor can usually tell if you have genital warts. Sometimes it is
easy to tell because you can see the warts. They look like skin color bumps
or a lot of little fingers. There can be just one or many of them. Other
times they are so small your doctor must put vinegar on the warts and use
a magnifying glass or microscope to see the wart.
COMPLICATIONS
Doctors have found that women with genital warts, get cancer of the cervix
more often. Genital warts may be allowed to grow and bleed during pregnancy,
unless they get so big they block the birth canal. Although it is possible
for a baby to get HPV during birth, having genital warts is not a reason
to have a Ceasarian section.
TREATMENT
There are many ways that genital warts can be treated. One way is by putting
chemicals such as Podophyllin, Condylox, or Trichloroacetic
acid on the warts to kill and dissolve them. Another is to freeze
them off. The warts can also be cut off using electric loops, lasers, or
surgery. You should never use over the counter cures for warts near the
sex organs because they can cause severe irritation. These treatment will
get rid of the warts, but you probably cannot ever get rid of HPV. The virus
is inside of you and may cause more warts in the future.
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