Genital warts - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Genital warts are a very common STI.
Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, most commonly HPV types 6 and 11.
Peak incidence of genital HPV infection occurs in 16- to 25-year-olds.
Diagnosis is made based on clinical presentation.
Generally has a benign course and is not often associated with oncogenic potential.

Wart on shaft of penis

From authors' clinical photo library

Quick Reference

History & Exam
- Key Factors
- Other Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
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Treatment Options
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Wart on shaft of penis
Close-up of penile wart
Venereal warts in the anal region of the perineum
Wart on shaft of penis
Condylomata lata: this photograph depicts the appearance of what was determined to be secondary syphilitic lesions, also known as "condylomata lata," on a patient's perineum
Extensive molluscum lesions on the flank of a young child; lesions are flesh- to pearly-colored with central dells
Clinical close-up image of seborrheic keratosis on the back of a 40-year-old man

Citations

Key Articles

Forcier M, Musacchio N. An overview of human papillomavirus infection for the dermatologist: disease, diagnosis, management, and prevention. Dermatol Ther. 2010 Sep-Oct;23(5):458-76.[Abstract]
Ahmed AM, Madkan V, Tyring SK. Human papillomaviruses and genital disease. Dermatol Clin. 2006 Apr;24(2):157-65.[Abstract]
Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, et al. Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Aug 16;68(32):698-702.[Abstract][Full Text]
Beutner KR, Wiley DJ, Douglas JM, et al. Genital warts and their treatment. Clin Infect Dis. 1999 Jan;28 Suppl 1:S37-56.[Abstract]
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1-187.[Abstract][Full Text]

Other Online Resources

CDC: condom fact sheet in brief
CDC: recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents ages 18 years or younger
CDC: recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older
CDC: what is HPV?

Referenced Articles

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