Genital warts are created via the human papillomavirus (HPV), where infections are spread through sexual contact and are known to be very contagious. Presently, there are over 100 various strains of warts with the genital wart variety representing a certain type of these. Out of these 100 identified strains of HPV, more than 30 of these strains have the potential to infect the genital tract, and are known as genital warts.

They usually appear as little fleshy bumps or white patches on the labia (the lips around the vagina), inside the vagina, on the penis or scrotum, or even around the anus. The warts may be too small to be seen. HPV seems to increase the risk of cervical cancer in women. The virus can occasionally be detected by a Pap smear. If warts are bothersome or develop on the cervix, they can be removed by a health professional. In some cases, the warts may recur.

As to who can get a genital wart, the answer is that virtually anyone at all can get them. The primary way of becoming infected with them is through sexual intercourse with someone who is already infected, or touching the genitals of someone who is infected. In rare cases, a person can be born with them, and a child can become infected while being bathed or changed. It is also quite common for someone to become infected with genital warts and they not appear for several years.

Genital warts develop on or in the vicinity of the genitals and anus of both men and women. A genital wart often occurs in groups and can be very tiny or can accumulate into large masses on genital tissues. Left untreated, a genital wart may eventually develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. They can be serious for females as they can occasionally cause cervical cancer if left untreated.

The numbers indicate that there are more incidents of genital warts than with any other sexually transmitted disease in the United States. According to the American Social Health Association, there are currently over 5 million new infections reported every year. It is estimated that there are about 40 million people in the USA currently infected.

And just like other STDs, it is quite common for genital warts to not show any visible signs and symptoms at all for awhile. One study conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) indicated that almost half of the women with genital warts had no visible symptoms. Obviously, this characteristic has contributed to the rapid spread of infection.