What makes genital warts multiply

So the warts can come back. Usually within 2 years, the warts and the HPV are gone from the body. People with genital warts definitely can spread HPV. But even after the warts are gone, HPV might still be active in the body. That means it can spread to someone else through sex or close sexual contact and cause warts in that person.

It's hard to know when people are no longer contagious, because there's no blood test that looks for HPV. Genital warts and other types of HPV can be prevented by a vaccine. The HPV vaccine series is recommended for all kids when they're 9—11 years old. Older teens and adults also can get the vaccine up to age HPV almost always spreads through sex.

So the best way to prevent it is to not have sex vaginal, oral, or anal. If someone does decide to have sex, using a condom every time for sex vaginal, oral, anal helps prevent HPV and other STDs. Someone diagnosed with genital warts should have an honest conversation with sexual partners. Partners need to be seen by a health care provider who can check for genital warts and do screenings for other STDs. Reviewed by: Christina M. How are HPV and genital warts diagnosed? Sometimes the doctor takes a sample of tissue from the wart for testing.

How are they treated? There is no cure for HPV, but the symptoms can be treated. Can HPV and genital warts be prevented? Use latex condoms. Latex condoms may help reduce the risk of spreading genital warts, but they do not protect the entire genital area against skin-to-skin contact.

Before you have sex with someone, talk to them about STIs. Find out whether he or she is at risk for them. Remember that a person can be infected without knowing it. If you have symptoms of an STI, don't have sex. Do not have sex with anyone who has symptoms or who may have been exposed to an STI. Having several sex partners increases your risk for infection. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems.

Cause HPV infection is caused by a virus. How the infection is spread transmission HPV is spread by direct contact. The virus can be spread to or from the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat during sexual activities. But warts in the mouth or throat are extremely rare. Latex condoms can lower your risk of getting genital warts.

After the infection occurs, it may spread to other areas of the genitals or to the anal area. You can spread the virus even if you do not have any symptoms of infection or any visible warts. There is a small chance that a pregnant woman can pass the virus to her baby. Children can get genital warts from sexual abuse.

Symptoms Human papillomavirus HPV infection Infection with the human papillomavirus HPV usually does not cause any symptoms and does not always produce visible genital warts. Symptoms that may occur with genital warts include: Irritation. Genital warts Genital warts can be different sizes and shapes. They may be large, or they may be too small to be seen with the naked eye.

They may appear individually or in groups. Warts may look like tiny bunches of cauliflower or like flat, white areas that are very difficult to see. In women and men, warts may appear in the groin, on and around the genitals, in the urethra , or in the rectum or anus. In women : Genital warts may appear around the anus or on the vulva , vagina, or cervix. Women are often unaware of warts inside the vagina or on the cervix until a doctor finds them.

In men : Genital warts may occur on the outside of the penis, on the scrotum , or around the anus. Men are often unaware they have genital warts, even when they can be seen, until the warts are identified by a doctor.

Symptoms of genital warts may be similar to those of other conditions. Common HPV types 6 and 11 produce visible warts. These warts may go away on their own, stay the same, or increase in number. Other HPV types, such as 16 and 18, do not produce visible genital warts.

These types, which may be found with a Pap test , are linked to precancerous cervical cell changes and cervical cancer. HPV infection and cervical cell changes In women, most precancerous or cancerous cell changes associated with HPV infection occur on the cervix. HPV infection and anal and penile cancer Among people who receive anal sex, HPV infection of the anal canal is associated with an increased risk of anal cancer. HPV infection during pregnancy The presence of HPV and abnormal cell changes does not affect the outcome of the pregnancy.

What Increases Your Risk Things that increase a person's risk for getting a sexually transmitted infection, such as HPV and genital warts, include: Having multiple sex partners. Having high-risk partner s partner has multiple sex partners or HPV-infected sex partners. Having unprotected sexual contact not using latex condoms.

Having an impaired immune system. When should you call your doctor? Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around your genitals or anus Burning, pain, or severe itching while urinating For women , an abnormal vaginal discharge that smells bad For men , an abnormal discharge from your penis Call your doctor if you suspect you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection STI.

Avoid sexual contact until you have been examined by a doctor. Children A child can get genital warts in several ways. Watchful waiting A doctor should evaluate any warts or other symptoms that suggest infection with the human papillomavirus HPV or another sexually transmitted infection STI. The length of the watchful waiting period is based on: The severity of your symptoms. The progression of the problem if not treated. The risks and benefits of waiting. Your age and medical history.

Who to see In general, your family doctor or any of the following health professionals can determine whether you have genital warts: Nurse practitioner Physician assistant Internist Treatment may require a specialist, such as a: Gynecologist.

Exams and Tests A doctor usually can diagnose visible genital warts using your medical history and a physical exam.

How do you know? Did your partner tell you? What are your symptoms? If you have discharge from the vagina or penis, it is important to note any smell or color. Did you use latex condoms to protect against STIs? Which sexual behaviors do you or your partner engage in, including high-risk behaviors such as sex with multiple partners?

Have you had an STI in the past? How was it treated? Have you ever had an abnormal Pap test for women? For women After your doctor takes your medical history, you will have a gynecological exam, which usually includes a Pap test. For men After the medical history, you will have a physical exam for genital warts. Doctors do not recommend a screening test for HPV infection in men.

For men and women Some experts believe that people who receive anal sex should have a screening for anal cancer, especially if they also have HIV infection. If visible warts are present, a diagnosis can usually be made without more testing. Genital warts may disappear without treatment. This is the natural course of many genital warts.

Destroying large areas of warts is difficult and may cause scarring. Treatment for genital warts does not eliminate the HPV infection. You may still be able to spread the infection. Latex condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV infection. Treatment of genital warts can be painful, and warts may return after treatment.

Warts that return after being treated usually are not treated again unless you want to be retreated. If you do, you would usually choose a different form of treatment. Types of treatment Treatments for genital warts include medicines, freezing, laser, or surgery.

The type of medical treatment for genital warts will depend on: The number, size, and location of warts. The side effects of treatment. Sexually transmitted infections STIs usually spread through sexual contact. Here, learn how to recognize, treat, and prevent some common STIs.

Learn about three possible home remedies for genital warts. We also look at lifestyle changes that could help, and when you should see a doctor. What to know about genital warts Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. What are they? Pictures Prevalence Treatment Prevention Causes Diagnosis Outlook Genital warts are fleshy growths that develop around the genitals or anus. What are genital warts? How common are genital warts? Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What is human papillomavirus HPV? How long do genital warts last? What to know.

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. HPV infection doesn't always lead to cancer, but it's important for women to have regular Pap tests, particularly those who've been infected with higher risk types of HPV. Problems during pregnancy. Rarely during pregnancy, warts can enlarge, making it difficult to urinate. Warts on the vaginal wall can inhibit the stretching of vaginal tissues during childbirth. Large warts on the vulva or in the vagina can bleed when stretched during delivery.

Extremely rarely, a baby born to a mother with genital warts develops warts in the throat. The baby might need surgery to keep the airway from being blocked. Limiting your number of sexual partners and being vaccinated will help prevent you from getting genital warts. Using a condom every time you have sex is a good idea, but won't necessarily protect you from genital warts.

The most recent, Gardasil 9 is approved for use in males and females ages 9 to 45 to protect against cervical cancer and genital warts. Side effects from the vaccines are usually mild and include soreness at the injection site, headaches, a low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms.

The CDC now recommends that all and year-olds receive two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart, instead of the previously recommended three-dose schedule.

Younger adolescents ages 9 and 10 and teens ages 13 and 14 also are able to receive vaccination on the updated two-dose schedule. Research has shown that the two-dose schedule is effective for children under Teens and young adults who begin the vaccine series later, at ages 15 through 26, should continue to receive three doses of the vaccine. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

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