Genital & Anal Warts

What is it?

Genital and anal warts are caused by certain types of HPV (human papilloma virus).

How do you get it?

HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, including oral and anal sex. HPV may be transmitted even when there are no visible warts present.

What are the symptoms or signs?

Visible warts are small growths, often rough or rubbery to the touch. These occur around the cock, balls and arse, and are often painless. Warts usually show up between two or three months after infection with HPV but may take much longer.

Testing

Diagnosis is usually by observation by a medical practitioner. Sub-clinical infection can be diagnosed through observation of cells on a biopsy.

How is it treated?

Visible warts are usually treated in several ways. These are:

Self-administered
imiquimod cream (this is not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Schedule) podophyllotoxin paint(a plant-based resin)

Provider-administered
freezing them (cryotherapy) with applications of liquid nitrogen or use of a nitrous oxide gun application of a low-grade electrical current (electrocautery or diathermy) laser surgery surgical excision Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)

How can it be prevented?

Most studies have shown no protective effect of condoms for HPV. However, even though condoms do not seem to provide effective protection against HPV infection, condoms do reduce the risk of the development of genital warts by 30 percent in women and about 40 percent in men, and reduce the risk of cervical cancer in women.

HPV (genital and anal warts) & HIV

The rate of growth of genital warts increases as the immune system is compromised. Anal and genital warts may also respond more slowly to conventional topical treatment in people with HIV.
Damage to the immune system may also lead to an increase in the number of different HPV sub-types and the development of cell abnormalities, although the relationship between immuno-suppresion and the risk of developing ano-genital cancers is less clear. HIV treatment does not seem to reduce the prevalence of either cervical or anal HPV or the development of cell abnormalities.
Clearance of HPV appears to be slower or less likely among people who are HIV-positive.

HPV & Cancer

Some types of the genital warts virus have been associated with abnormal cell changes on the penis or anus. However, only a few of these viruses are strongly associated with cancer. This association seems to act together with other factors, one of which is smoking. Visible warts are less likely to lead to cell changes that precede cancer. The types of wart viruses that are linked to abnormal changes usually cause subclinical infections.