Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). They can be spread even if no semen is released, and the penis doesn't need to enter the vagina or anus for them to appear. Genital warts are more contagious than other warts, and they are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sex. It is estimated that around 400,000 people, mostly in their late teens and twenties, get genital warts every year. You can get infected with HPV without having visible warts, and they usually appear 1 to 6 months after being infected.
Certain types of HPV cause these STDs, and you can't get genital warts by touching yourself or another person with a hand or foot that has warts. Warts don't have to be visible before you can spread the infection to your sexual partner. Genital warts on the cervix or inside the vagina can cause changes in the cervix (dysplasia) that can lead to cervical cancer. It is important to get screened for cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, or anus if you have been diagnosed with genital warts. Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sexual contact with an infected person. Using a condom every time you have sex is a good idea, but it won't necessarily protect you from genital warts.
A large number of cases of genital warts do not respond to treatment and often recur, especially with repeated infections caused by sexual contact or by the long incubation period of HPV. However, on rare occasions, genital warts can multiply in large groups in people with a weakened immune system. The HPV vaccine can protect against certain types of HPV, including those that cause genital warts and certain types of cancer. While some types of HPV cause cervical and anal cancers, these aren't the same viral types that cause genital warts. It is important to know that genital warts can spread even if no semen comes out, and the penis doesn't need to enter the vagina or anus for them to appear. Therefore, it is essential to take preventive measures such as using condoms every time you have sex and getting vaccinated against HPV. To prevent genital warts from spreading, it is important to practice safe sex by using condoms every time you have sex.
Additionally, getting vaccinated against HPV is an effective way to reduce your risk of getting infected with this virus.
