Did you now that...? - Genital Warts are very common in the Netherlands.
- There are 22 000 new infections discovered each year.
- They are almost always passed on through unprotected sexual intercourse.
- You can also get genital warts by using a towel or a washcloth of a person with genital warts.
- It may take a few weeks or even up to a year after infection before the first warts show up.
What will someone notice? - Often a few small warts will appear, then grow larger and multiply.
- They are warts that grow on and around the vagina, penis or anus.
- Although they don't hurt, they may itch.
- Sometimes they may be inside your vagina or anus. In this case it is possible that you do not notice them.
- They are usually flat, papular, or pedunculated growths on the genital mucosa.
Treatment - Genital warts are caused by a virus (the Human Papillomavirus {HPV}).
- Treatment can only eliminate the visible part of genital warts, but not the virus itself.
- That means that the warts may recur (keep appearing and disappearing).
- Treatment is however important as it can get rid of the visible growths (the warts).
- With successful treatment, often within a year, the virus can be put to sleep, which means that the warts will no longer reappear.
If left untreated, visible genital warts might disappear on their own, remain unchanged, or increase in size or number.
Do you have any symptoms? Or do you think you might have been exposed to unsafe sex? It is important to have yourself tested as soon as possible. For assistance, you can go to: your general practitioner (GP, huisarts in Dutch), the GGD or the AIDS STI Help Line (0900 20420440 (10 ct/min); Monday 10:00-22:00. Tuesday-Friday 14:00-22:00. Mail: infolijn@soaaids.nl) |
