Genital Warts Vaccination, From 10 Years

Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area. They can be different sizes, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. Genital warts can affect both males and females.

Genital warts can be removed by the patient with medications, or by a healthcare professional. However, as treatment only removes the visible wart, not the virus, genital warts can come back. If left untreated, genital warts might go away, remain unchanged, or increase in size or number.

Genital warts are caused by infection with certain types of a common virus called thehuman papillomavirus (HPV). There are many different types of HPV. Genital warts are caused by infection with certain 'low-risk' genital HPV types, with HPV types 6 and 11 being most commonly linked with genital warts. The 'low risk' HPV types that causemost cases of genital warts are different to the 'high risk' HPV types than can lead to cervical and other HPV related  cancer.

HPV is easily spread through direct, skin-to-skin contact, during most types of sexual activity with a person who has the virus.  Infection may occur after direct contact with a visible wart.  The virus can also be spread by an infected person who has no signs or symptoms.

People can help reduce the risk of spreading genital warts by treating the warts as soon as they appear.

Please speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your or your adolescent child's risk of genital warts.

Anyone who has had any kind of sexual activity could get HPV.  Between 50-80% of sexually active people will have had genital HPV infection at some time in their lives. Most infections clear on their own. Two of these genital HPV types (HPV 6 and 11, known as 'low risk' HPV types) are the cause of most cases of genital warts.

If you have any concerns regarding HPV infection, please speak to your doctor regarding your or your adolescent child's individual circumstances.

Most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms, so people probably don't know they have it. This means that they may be carrying HPV in an area of skin, even though there are no visible warts.

Genital warts may appear within weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person, even if the infected person has no signs of genital warts.  They usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area.  They can be different sizes, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower.  Genital warts are often painless, but some patients may have itching, burning, or discomfort.

The current HPV vaccine used for the government funded school program for12-13 year old girls and boys also provides protection against genital warts.

As HPV is most commonly spread by sexual contact, funded vaccination is given to males and females before they become sexually active to help prevent initial infection with the HPV types included in the vaccine.

HPV vaccination involves 3 injections, usually given over a 6-month period. It is important that all three injections are received to help protect against HPV infection.