Genital Warts
(HPV Infection)

1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Quiz on STDs

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Genital Warts (HPV) Overview
• Genital Warts (HPV) Causes
• Genital Warts (HPV) Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Genital Warts Diagnosis
• Genital Warts (HPV) Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Follow-up
• Genital Warts Prevention
• Genital Warts Outlook
• Pictures of Genital Warts
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Genital Warts from Healthwise
• Pictures of Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Slideshow
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Quiz
• Viewer Comments: Genital Warts (HPV Infection) - Treatment
• Viewer Comments: Genital Warts - Symptoms and Signs

Genital warts are flesh-colored or gray growths found in the genital area and anal region in both men and women. Genital warts are sometimes referred to as condyloma acuminata or venereal warts. They represent the most common sexually-transmitted disease caused by a virus. The warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Infection with genital warts may not be obvious.

Genital warts affect both men and women and can occur at any age.

• Most patients with genital warts are between the ages of 17-33 years. Genital warts are highly contagious. There is around a 60% risk of getting the infection from a single sexual contact with someone who has genital warts.

• In children younger than three years of age, genital warts are thought to be transmitted by nonsexual methods such as direct manual contact. Nevertheless, the presence of genital warts in children should raise the suspicion for sexual abuse.

Up to 20% of people with genital warts will have other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

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