Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around the genital or anal area.
Genital warts are the result of a viral skin infection caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Genital warts are a common type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). They are usually painless and do not pose a serious threat to a person’s health.
Most people who have an HPV infection will not develop any visible warts. If genital warts do appear, it can be several weeks, months or even years after you first came into contact with the virus.
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Symptoms
- They may appear as little lumps or spots on the skin or may cause an itch.
- Not all lumps or spots on the genitals are warts. However, if you are concerned, it’s important to have a check-up.
- Warts may appear anytime from two weeks to a year, sometimes even longer after contact with the virus.
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Testing and Treatment
If you think you have genital warts, it is recommended that you make an appointment at your local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.
Treatment for genital warts is not always needed. They sometimes disappear on their own within 6 months.
Treatment options include:
- cream or liquid;
- freezing;
- surgery.
Getting tested | Sexual Health NI (hscni.net)
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HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a very common group of viruses. There are more than 100 types of HPV, and most are harmless. They do not cause any problems in most people, but some types can cause genital warts or abnormal cells that may turn into cancer. HPV has no symptoms, so you may not know if you have it.
More information is available here: Human papillomavirus (HPV) | Sexual Health NI (hscni.net)