Customer question:
How do they look, or how do they identify genital warts? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Genital warts are skin growths that appear on the genitals or around the anus and are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Their characteristic appearance can recognize them, but it is always recommended to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Here is a detailed description of what they look like and how to identify them:
Genital warts are usually small, fleshy growths that can be flat or raised. They often have a rough or cauliflower-like surface but can also be smooth. Their color can vary, sometimes they are slightly reddish, pink or brownish. Warts can be single or in groups, sometimes forming larger lesions that may resemble cauliflower clusters.
In men, genital warts most often appear on the penis, scrotum, around the anus, or on the inside of the thighs. In women, they can appear on the vulva, on the walls of the vagina, on the cervix, or around the anus. In addition, genital warts can also appear in the mouth or throat after oral sex with an infected person.
Genital warts are often painless but may cause discomfort, itching, or burning. In some cases, there may be bleeding during intercourse. Although warts of this type are not life-threatening in themselves, they can increase the risk of transmitting HPV to other people and cause psychological stress due to their appearance.
One of the ways to identify genital warts is through a visual inspection. If you notice unusual growths on or around the genitals or anus, it is essential to consult a doctor. The doctor can perform a clinical examination and, if necessary, use magnification to examine the growths more closely. In some cases, a biopsy of the nipple may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes of growth.
HPV testing can help confirm infection, although it is not always necessary to diagnose genital warts. For women, a doctor may perform a Papanicolaou (Pap) test to help detect changes in cervical cells that HPV may cause. Testing for high-risk HPV types can be significant, as some types are associated with a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.
Can genital warts be confused with genital herpes?
Genital warts are small, fleshy growths that appear on the genitals or around the anus. Warts are usually painless but may cause discomfort, itching, or burning. They often have a rough or cauliflower-like surface but can also be smooth. Their color may differ from the skin, sometimes they are slightly reddish, pink or brownish. Warts can be single or in groups. In men, they most often appear on the penis, scrotum, around the anus, or inside the thighs. In women, they can appear on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the cervix, or around the anus.
Typical symptoms of genital herpes are painful blisters or sores on the genitals, buttocks, inner thighs, or around the anus. These blisters often burst and become painful sores that can take several weeks to heal. Herpes is often accompanied by a feeling of itching, burning, or pain before the appearance of blisters. The first herpes outbreak is usually the most severe and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. Herpes is a chronic infection, meaning the virus remains in the body and can cause repeated outbreaks.
Genital warts are fleshy growths, while herpes lesions are blisters that become painful sores. Herpes is usually painful, while warts are mostly painless. Herpes lesions develop from blisters to ulcers that then heal, while warts remain growths until removed or treated. Herpes can cause flu-like symptoms, which are not characteristic of genital warts.
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