Genital warts and HPV ,What do you do

Genital warts look like small fleshy bumps or growths around the genital or anal area in men and women. They may not appear until up to a year after being infected.
Although genital warts are painless and not a threat to health, they can be a cause for concern and can be passed to sex partners.
HPV vaccinations are offered to girls at secondary school to help protect again genital warts.

What is human papilloma virus (HPV)?
HPV is a family of over 100 viruses that affect different parts of the body. Some strains of HPV cause warts on the feet, hands, and other parts of the body, while other strains are sexually transmitted and cause warts that affect skin in the genital area -- the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum -- and in the mouth and throat. There are more than 30 strains of HPV that affect the genital area as well as the mouth and throat, and depending on the type of HPV involved, symptoms can be in the form of wart-like growths or abnormal cell changes that can be precancerous. The strains that affect the genital area or which can be transmitted to the mouth and throat during oral sex are the strains of HPV that will be discussed on this page.
When can HPV lead to cancer?
HPV is an infection which many people will contract, but only a small minority will have a lasting infection leading to cancer. This is because, in most cases, HPV (both low and high risk types) is cleared by the immune system. In a study of female college students, more than 90% of women infected with high risk HPV had cleared the infection 24 months later. The average time of infection is 4 to 20 months. Progression to pre-cancer occurs when infection with a high risk type persists over time and when normal cells in infected skin turn abnormal.
Infection with high-risk HPV types is a necessary but generally not a single or sufficient cause of HPV related cancers. Other factors which may contribute to developing cancer include smoking, nutrtional status, health of the immune system (e.g., HIV infection), and oral contraceptive use. Oral contraceptive users have a slightly increased risk of cervical cancer. This may be associated with lack of condom use when on the pill and lifetime number of partners, rather than any direct effect. There is insufficient evidence of a link to recommend discontinuation of oral contraceptive use in women with high-risk HPV infection.
How do I know if I have genital warts?
Like many STIs, HPV does not always have visible symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, warts may be seen around the genital area. In women, warts can develop on the outside and inside of the vagina, on the cervix (the opening to the uterus), or around the anus. In men, they may be seen on the tip of the penis, the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anus. Warts also can develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person.
Because there is no way to predict whether the warts will grow or disappear, people who suspect that they have been infected should be examined and treated, if necessary.
How are genital warts treated?

Unfortunately, no treatment can kill the virus that causes the warts. Your doctor can remove the warts by freezing or applying chemicals. Some prescription treatments are available for at home use. Surgery or laser therapy may be necessary for warts that are large or difficult to treat. Still, recurrence remains a problem. You may need to return to your doctor for more treatment.

Prevention of Genital Warts

The best way to prevent genital warts is to avoid sex or have sex with only one uninfected partner. Using condoms also may help to prevent infection. However, condoms can't always cover all affected skin. Factors that increase your risk of becoming infected include:
Having other STDs (because the risk factors are the same)
Multiple sex partners
Smoking
Certain vitamin deficiencies
Medications or medical conditions that suppress the immune system, such as AIDS
If you have had genital warts, you should be tested for cervical cancer at least once every year. Cervical cancer can be prevented with regular screening (Pap smears), and can be cured in most cases when it is detected in early stages.
HPV vaccines can be helpful in preventing genital warts. There are currently two vaccines FDA approved and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These are Gardasil and Cervarix. One of the vaccines, Gardasil, targets HPV types 6 and 11, the types of HPV that cause 90 percent of genital warts. Both Gardasil and Cervarix protect against the major cervical cancer-causing strains, 16 and 18. Cervarix and Gardasil are effective for girls 9 through 26 years old. Only Gardasil has been licensed for use in males.
Both vaccines are given as a set of three shots over six months. The vaccine will not cure existing infections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all 11- and 12-year-old American girls get the shots, although girls as young as 9 could receive it if they're sexually active. For "catch-up," the CDC also recommends that girls and women ages 13 to 26 be vaccinated against HPV, regardless of their Pap test results.
The vaccine works best before an individual has been exposed to HPV. Early vaccination provides the greatest chance of preventing cervical cancer and genital warts. Older girls and young women were included in the CDC recommendations because even if they've had some exposure to HPV, it may not be to the strains contained in the vaccine, so they'll they may get some protection.

Gardasil is licensed for males ages 9 through 26 years, and the CDC recommends the shots for boys aged 11 or 12 years and for males 13 through 21 years if they have not previously had the shots. Gardasil is also recommended for bisexual or gay men and men with compromised immune systems through age 26 if they have not previously had the shots.