HPV/Genital Warts

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Genital Warts are small flesh coloured growths found on the genital area and anal region in both men and women. Genital warts are caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus. Most people with genital warts are between the ages of 17-33 years. Genital warts are highly contagious. There is a high risk of getting the infection from a single sexual contact with someone who has genital warts. Common warts are not the same as genital warts and are caused by different HPV types that infect the skin.

How is it passed on?

  • Close contact with the infected warts
  • Direct skin to skin contact
  • Having sexual intercourse (condoms do not protect against genital warts)

Symptoms

The HPV virus can be in your body from 3 weeks up to 8 months before symptoms show up.
Warts appear as painless growths in and around the genitals in a variety of shapes and sizes.
You may not even have warts but it is still possible to pass the virus to your sexual partner.

Diagnosis

The only way you can know whether you have genital warts or not is if you are examined by a doctor or nurse. There may be a need for an examination of the vaginal canal and cervix in females.

If you think you may have genital warts, you can make an appointment with the Student Health Service at the reception desk at the centre to see the Nurse. HPV vaccination is available for teenage girls who would have been offered this vaccination in secondary school (HSE, 2017)

Treatments

There is no single effective cure for the removal of genital warts. Some treatments that are available are freezing and creams. The chosen treatment can depend on a range of factors such as size and specific location of the warts. Unfortunately no treatment is 100% and the virus stays in your system and the warts can return.

Preventing HPV

  • Avoid intimate sexual contact
  • Avoid sharing sex toys
  • Using condoms will reduce your risk in contracting an S.T.I and pregnancy. However, condoms are not 100% and do not cover the whole genital area. Genital Warts are spread from skin-to-skin contact therefore it is possible to become infected.
  • Avoid touching, picking or squeezing the warts themselves as they are infectious.

For more information on genital warts, click on any of the following links;

IFPA- Gential Warts

Think Contraception 

PlannedParenthood

HPSC Factsheet