WARTS, VENEREAL (Condylomata Acuminata; Genital Warts; Moist Warts) |
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WARTS, VENEREAL (Condylomata Acuminata;
Genital Warts; Moist Warts)
DESCRIPTIONVenereal warts appear in the genital area. These are more contagious than other warts. The urethra, genitals, and rectum are involved. Venereal warts can affect sexually active adolescents and adults.
Appropriate health care includes:
Self-care after diagnosis.
Physician's monitoring of general condition, medications, and treatment, which may include application of liquid nitrogen to warts.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Venereal warts have the following characteristics:
They appear on moist surfaces, especially the penis, the entrance to the vagina, and the entrance to the rectum.
They are thin, flexible, solid elevations of the skin, growing in stalks or clusters. They are taller than they are wide.
Each wart measures 1mm to 2mm in diameter, but clusters may be quite large.
They don't hurt or itch.
CAUSES
Venereal warts are caused by a subtype of the same virus that causes other warts, but they are more contagious. They spread easily on the skin of the infected person and pass easily to other people. They are usually transmitted sexually, often as a result of poor hygiene. They have an incubation period of 1 to 6 months.
RISK FACTORS
Poor nutrition.
Other venereal disease.
Crowded or unsanitary living conditions.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCEInstructions for your son or daughter to prevent spread of warts to other parts of the body or to other persons:
Don't scratch warts.
Avoid sexual activity until warts heal completely.
Use rubber condoms during sexual intercourse.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSMedication used to treat venereal warts (podophyllin) may damage an unborn child. Systemic toxicity (poisoning) to the fetus has occurred after intravaginal application. Don't use podophyllin if you are pregnant.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
These small warts usually cause your child no symptoms. If untreated, they probably will disappear eventually. However, because the virus may be associated with a genital malignancy, obtain medical treatment for your child.
TREATMENT
HOME CAREThese warts are generally treated with chemicals: podophyllin, trichloracetic acid, or liquid nitrogen. After the application of any of these, your child should wait 4 hours; then the child should wash the treated area carefully.
MEDICATION
If your doctor prescribes podophyllin, a topical medication, it should be applied carefully to your child to avoid damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Use petroleum jelly on surrounding tissue first. Don't apply to large areas at one time. This may cause irritation or absorption of the drug. Keep podophyllin out of the child's eyes.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
No restrictions, except to avoid sexual relations until warts are completely gone.
DIET & FLUIDS
No special diet.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?Yes.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your son or daughter has symptoms of venereal warts.
The following occurs after treatment.
-- The treated area becomes infected (red, swollen, painful, or tender).
-- Temperature rises to 101F (38.3C) or above.
-- Your son or daughter feels generally ill.
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