What is Genital Warts ?
Genital warts, also known as venereal warts or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 80 types of HPV are known to exist and quite a few of these types cause genital warts, e.g. HPV types 6 and 11. Other HPV types cause common warts on the hands, feet, or elsewhere on the body. Other types (HPV types 16 and 18) can cause cancer of the cervix, the external genital skin, or the anus. Therefore, female partners of affected persons are recommended to see their gynecologist for occult infection. The HPV types that cause genital warts, however, very rarely cause cancer. Although genital warts are usually sexually transmitted, they can infrequently be seen in infants who have been delivered vaginally to mothers with HPV in their genital tracts. Genital warts are particularly a problem in pregnant women and in persons whose immunity has been lowered by cancer, AIDS, organ transplantation, immune suppressive medications, or certain other medications. Onl
