GENITAL WARTS

• Genital warts (GW), aka condyloma, are an infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are over 200 types.
• They are usually acquired thru sexual contact. Thus, they are a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Patients with GW should be evaluted for other STDs. Your doctor may consider ordering an HIV and syphilis test.
• GW sometimes affect the perianal area. Your doctor may want to examine that area as well.
• HPV is assocated with cervical cancer (and cancer of the penis). Thus, it is imperative that all female patients and sexual partners get an annual Pap smear.
• While lesions are present, prevention of transmission is best through abstinence. A condom may not prevent spread if the lesions are outside the area covered by the condom.
• It is recommended for patients with GW up to 45 years of age to get the HPV vaccine. This will not cure the GW, but since there are so may HPV types, it helps prevent infection with other strains.

Treatment, Brief Overview

The most common treatment of GW is cryotherapy (freezing), but topical medications such as aldara or condylox may be employed. Freezing is best done every 2-3 weeks until all warts are gone. Waiting longer between treatments allows the warts to grow back and tends not to be as effective.

My Doctor Just Froze My Warts. What Can I Expect?

You might feel a bit of pain and/or swelling for 1–2 hours right after treatment, and the area may be sore for a few days. Sometimes a blister forms. If it does, and pops, you can clean the area normally in the shower and apply an ointment (e.g. bacitracin, Vaseline, Aquaphor) until the skin heals. Alternatively, a scab may form. Either way, healing usually occurs in 1–2 weeks as the dead tissue/wart is shed. Ideally, you should avoid sexual contact until the treated area heals. Although unlikely, let your doctor know if there are any signs of infection (e.g. fever, pus, spreading redness).

RegionalDerm

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