Anogenital Warts
A Painful, Contagious Condition

Anogenital warts (condylomata acuminata) are the most common viral sexually transmitted disease in the United States. These growths occur on the anus, and genitalia when a person becomes infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV). This is one of the most common STD's in the United States. It is highly contagious and extremely painful.

Who are At Risk

Genital warts can affect both:

• both men and women
• women may account for 67 percent of the patient population suffering from condylomata acuminata
• people who have multiple sex partners
• An increased risk of infection was found for anyone with a history of any sexually transmitted disease or oral herpes.

These warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) , types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

HPV is a viral infection of the skin and is also known as: anogenital warts, condylomata acuminata, genital warts or veneral warts.

This condition is not to be confused with herpes which is caused by the human herpes virus.

This disease in women is spread mainly by vaginal intercourse.

Anal condylomata can occur by extension from vulvar or perineal infection or by receptive anal intercourse. However, anal warts can occur in people who have never had anal sex.

What Do Genital Warts Look Like

Perianal warts or genital warts are light pink in color. Genital warts can be very tiny or can appear in clusters as cauliflower-like masses of various sizes and shapes. They can also look like small stalks.

Wikipedia has pictures of several severe cases of this condition in both men and women.

Symptoms of Genial Warts

• In Women
• These warts occur on the outside and inside of the vagina, on the opening (cervix) to the womb (uterus), or around the anus.
In Men
• The symptoms in men are less obvious than in women.
• They usually are seen on the tip of the penis.
• They also may be found on the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anus.
• Sometimes, genital warts also can develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person.

• When perianal warts appear in the anal area they are at times mistaken for hemorrhoids.

Perianal warts can occur on the penis, vagina, anus, and but seldom in the mouth. These warts are spread by contact with the wart, which sheds viral particles.

The incubation period after exposure ranges from three weeks to eight months. Most infections are transient and cleared within two years.

Disease in women is primarily caused by vaginal intercourse. Anal condylomata can occur by extension from vulvar or perineal infection or by receptive anal intercourse.

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