HPV infection, including genital warts, occurs commonly in sexually active men and women of all ages, races, and sexual orientations. Infants can be infected by their mothers during birth, but this is rare.

HPV and genital warts are usually spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has this infection. Different types of HPV cause warts on other parts of the body, such as the hands. Contact with these warts does not cause typical genital warts.

Warts may appear within several weeks after sexual relations with an infected person; or they may take months to appear; or they may never appear. This makes it hard to know exactly when or from whom you got the virus. Very little is known about the transmission of subclinical HPV infection, although some researchers believe it's less contagious than genital warts.

Warts sometimes can be very difficult to see. Also, sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a wart and other bumps or pimples. A Pap smear is a test designed to detect precancerous cervical changes -- not HPV. However, an abnormal Pap smear often shows changes that could be caused by HPV infection. Women with abnormal Pap smears should be examined further for cervical problems (usually through a colposcope) or followed closely by a doctor. There are several new tests that can detect the genetic material of HPV (Vira-pap). There is a connection between HPV infection and cancer in both men and women.

There are many different opinions about how to treat genital warts. The goal of treatment should be to remove visible genital warts and get rid of annoying symptoms. While it is not proven, you should be less contagious after effective treatment. Cryotherapy (freezing off the wart with liquid nitrogen) is a relatively inexpensive and effective treatment in many cases and is excellent if there are only a few warts.

Aldara cream is an immune system stimulant. It helps the body rid itself of the virus. It is very expensive, and takes up to three months to work. When effective, results are lasting. It causes only mild irritation.

Condylox is a chemical that can be applied to the surface of the wart at home to "burn" it off. It is relatively inexpensive and effective in a large number of cases. It causes a lot of irritation. Cryotherapy is often needed to supplement Condylox or Aldara if results are not complete on all the warts.

Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is another chemical applied to the surface of the wart, but only by a physician. Electrocautery (destroying the infected tissue with electric current) is another option used by some doctors. Laser therapy (using an intense light to destroy the warts) or surgery (cutting off the warts) can expensive and are generally is used only in selected cases.

Efudex solution 2% can be applied topically a few times each week (M-W-F). It is useful for urethral warts in men, but it can work on other areas. You must apply and then rinse off after 3-5
minutes to avoid excessive irritation.

The antiviral drug interferon is sometimes before or after other treatments. The combination increases the chance of success. It is expensive and causes some discomfort.