Facts About Genital Warts

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the virus that causes genital warts. Some of the genital warts (venereal warts) can be very similar in appearance (how they look) to warts found on other parts of your body, like your hands or feet.

Genital warts are considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). However, sometimes genital warts show no signs or symptoms of infection. So, people might spread HPV and genital warts to others without knowing.

The HPV virus along with genital warts can spread very easily through sexual contact. This includes oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

It may take many months after infection to show signs of genital warts. In some cases, it may take up to several years to develop genital warts. This means that the disease has a long incubation period. During this time, that signs are not noticed, a person can pass the disease to others.

Once the genital warts develop, they may develop in areas that cannot be seen. For example, genital warts can develop inside the vagina.

So, it is important to prevent genital warts. Similar to other STDs genital warts may be spread without knowing.