What Are Warts?
Understanding Warts: A Simple Guide
How Do Warts Spread?
Warts can spread through direct contact with an infected person eg through sexual intercourse or indirectly through contaminated objects like sex objects. Anything that breaks the skin can make it easier for warts to develop.
How Long Do Warts Last?
Warts often go away on their own within a few years. However, some high-risk types of HPV can cause cancer, especially genital warts in people with weakened immune systems, say in the case of HIV infection.
Warts are harmless growths that appear on the skin and mucous membranes. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which has over 100 different types. Warts can appear anywhere on the body.
How Is HPV Spread?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. It spreads through skin or mucous membrane contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Risk Factors for HPV
You can get HPV through any sexual activity with an infected person. People with multiple sexual partners, those who sell sex, and individuals in open relationships are at higher risk.
Be monogamous: Have sex with a partner who only has sex with you
Get screened: Regular Pap tests for the cervix and anal canal.
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis: A rare skin disorder.
Plantar cysts: Found on the feet.
Types of Warts
HPV can cause several types of warts, including:
Common warts: Usually found on hands and fingers.
Genital warts: Found in the genital area.
Flat warts: Smaller and smoother, often on the face or legs.
Deep palmoplantar warts (Myrmecia): Found on the soles of the feet.
Focal epithelial hyperplasia: Affects the mouth.
How Does HPV Infect the Body?
HPV enters the body through tiny cuts in the skin or mucous membranes. After a few weeks to months, it causes infected cells to produce the wart's characteristic appearance. HPV can infect various body parts, including the genitals, mouth, and throat. Multiple warts can appear simultaneously, and even subclinical infections (without visible warts) can spread the virus.
Use condoms: They reduce the risk of transmission.
Who Gets Warts?
Warts are common worldwide, affecting about 10% of people. They are more common in immunosuppressed individuals.
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. Most people infected with HPV do not show symptoms and recover without treatment. However, if the virus persists, it can cause warts and even cancer. HPV types that infect the skin usually cause skin warts, while those infecting mucous membranes cause genital warts.
Preventing HPV
To prevent HPV, you can:
Get vaccinated: The HPV vaccine is safe and effective.
Sources
UpToDate
Medscape
NIH Start Pearls
CDC
Merck Manual
World Health Organization
Compiled by Godfrey Mutunga,
Medical Officer at Ark Wellness Hub