Why should I be concerned if I have Human Papillomavirus or genital warts?
Human Papillomavirus or genital warts is a virus similar to herpes that you will have for life. Certain types of the Human Papillomavirus can cause cancer of the cervix, therefore, it is important to have regular pelvic exams with regular pap smears to check for pre-malignant cells. Untreated warts can become large and cause complications during pregnancy and childbirth, although rare, infants born to women with genital warts may get the warts in their throats called laryngeal papillomatosis. This condition can be life threatening for the infant and often requires laser surgery to help the baby breathe.
