Condyloma Acuminata

What is condyloma acuminata?

Condyloma acuminata is also called genital warts. Genital warts are growths that appear in or on the penis, vagina, or anus. Sexually active men and women between the ages of 15 and 33 are more likely than others to get genital warts.

What causes genital warts?

Genital warts are caused by a germ called human papillomavirus, or HPV. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This means that the virus is spread by skin to skin contact with someone who has genital warts. The warts are spread during genital, anal, or oral sex. A woman can pass them to a baby as she is giving birth. The following increase your risk of having genital warts:

• Sexual activity: The more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to get genital warts. Having multiple sexual partners over the same period of time can also increase your risk. Having same sex partners (male or female) may also increase your risk.
  
  
• Problems with your immune system: HIV infection, cancer treatments, and organ transplant surgery weaken your immune system. The immune system is your body's protection against infections from germs.
  
  
• Smoking: Cigarette smoking can cause changes to the cells in your body. Changes to the cells can make it easier for you to get an HPV infection.
  
  
• Birth control pills: Taking birth control pills for a long time may increase your risk of getting genital warts.

What are the signs and symptoms of genital warts?

Genital warts are flat or dome-shaped, and can be pink, red, or brown in color. They may be attached to your skin with a thin stem. Warts may be small at first, and then grow larger. You may have one or more warts, which can group together. Over time the warts may look like a cauliflower. Genital warts may feel moist and rough when you touch them. As the warts grow, the skin area may itch or burn. If the warts grow together, they may be painful. If the warts grow in size or you get more of them, you may have problems urinating or having a bowel movement. HPV can cause lesions (growths) inside the body as well, such as on a woman's cervix (the bottom part of the uterus). With these growths, you may have no signs or symptoms.

How are genital warts diagnosed?

Your caregiver will do a physical exam to learn if you have genital warts. He will use a bright light to see the warts on your penis, vagina, or anus. He will ask you about your sexual activity and past diseases. You may need any of the following tests:

• Acetic acid test: A mild acid is put on the warts by your caregiver. This acid makes the warts turn white in color.
  
  
• Biopsy: A sample of one or more of the warts is collected and sent to a lab for tests. The tests will show if the warts are condyloma acuminata. Genital warts caused by HPV can increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer. This test will also give caregivers more information about your cancer risk.
  
  
• Pap smear: This test is done on females. It is a screening test to check for conditions such as STDs and cervical cancer. During a Pap smear, your caregiver collects a sample of cells from your cervix. The sample is sent to a lab for tests. Ask caregivers for more information about Pap smears.
  
  
• Colposcopy: Women who have cervical condyloma (warts on the cervix) may need to have a colposcopy. Ask caregivers for more information about this test.

How are genital warts treated?

Small genital warts may heal without treatment. In some cases, the warts can get bigger, or you may get more of them. Treating the warts can help prevent you from spreading them to others, and may help prevent cervical cancer in women. Treatment can also take away your symptoms, and help you feel better about yourself. Even after treatment, the warts can come back again. Treatment may include the following:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Immunomodulators: This medicine may help strengthen your immune system.
    
    
  • Antiproliferatives: This medicine may help stop your warts from growing in size or increasing in number.
    
    
  • Antivirals: This medicine works against viruses, such as HPV.
  
  
• Procedures: Ask caregivers for more information about the following procedures:
  
  
  • Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen (gas) is used to freeze and destroy genital warts. This treatment may be used on women who are pregnant.
    
    
  • Electrocautery: Heat from a high electric current is used to destroy genital warts.
    
    
  • Excision: Surgery using a scalpel, curette, or scissors is done to remove the warts. Loop excision is another method that uses a low-voltage electric current passing through a fine wire loop. The warts are removed, and may be sent to a lab for tests.
    
    
  • Laser: This treatment is used to remove large and thick genital warts. The laser uses heat to destroy the tissues around or near your warts. This treatment may help the areas heal without leaving scars.

What else should I know if I have genital warts?

• Do not touch or scratch the warts. This can cause the infection to spread to other parts of your body.
  
  
• Do not try to treat genital warts with medicines used to treat hand warts. This type of medicine is very strong and can burn your skin. Use only the medicine that caregivers give you to treat genital warts.
  
  
• If you use medicine that is put on your skin, such as a cream, do not have sex while using the medicine. Certain medicines that you put on your skin can weaken condoms and diaphragms. Avoid having sex, or use another form of birth control when you use these medicines.
  
  
• Women should have a Pap smear done once a year, or as often as caregivers suggest.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver if you know or think you are pregnant. Certain medicines cannot be used by pregnant women.

How can genital warts be prevented?

• Avoid having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has genital warts. If you have sex, always use or have your partner use a latex condom. Use a new condom after each sexual contact.
  
  
• Get vaccinated. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (shot) is given to females 9 to 26 years old to help prevent cervical cancer and genital warts. It also helps prevent other lesions that may lead to cancer. The HPV vaccine may also be given to males 9 to 26 years old to prevent genital warts. Three doses of the HPV vaccine are usually given. The first dose is given between ages 11 and 12 years old. The second dose is given 1 to 2 months later. The third dose is given six months after the first dose. The HPV vaccine works best if the three doses are completed before you are sexually active. If any of these vaccinations are missed, they should be completed before 26 years of age. Ask your caregiver for more information about this vaccine.
  
  
• Prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Ask your caregiver for more information about how you can stop the spread of STD.
  
  
• Tell your sexual partners that you are being treated for genital warts. They may also be infected and need treatment.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• The skin that is being treated for genital warts is very painful or swollen.
  
  
• You see or feel new warts growing on any part of your body.
  
  
• You have new signs and symptoms after starting medicine to treat genital warts.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your genital warts or your treatment.

Where can I find more information?

Having genital warts can make you feel sad or embarrassed. Warts that increase in size and number can make you feel nervous and upset, and can make you want to stay away from others. These feelings are normal. Talk to a caregiver about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• American Social Health Association (ASHA)
  P.O. Box 13827
  Research Triangle Park , NC 27709
  Web Address: http://www.ashastd.org
  

• Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Rd.
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/std
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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