What Is the Cause of Anal Warts?

Anal Warts

Anal warts are usually caused by an infection from the human papilloma virus, also known as the HPV virus. This is the same virus that is able to cause warts to appear on other genital areas. The human papilloma virus is usually spread sexually, especially when one person is infected and also has warts. HPV transmission to the anus usually occurs as a result of anal intercourse, although any sexual act can cause the virus to spread there. Most cases of anal warts will occur within three months of the sexual contact with the infected person. Anal warts are usually detected during the course of a physical exam or can be detected casually (i.e. not detected by a physician).

HPV Pathology

HPV is a virus that is made out of DNA and prefers to infect skin and other epithelial tissue. When the virus infects a cell it uses the proteins and nutrients of the cell to make more copies of the virus. When the virus has gone, some of its DNA can stay behind in the cell. This DNA can get absorbed by the rest of the DNA of the cell and become permanently incorporated. These genetic changes will then cause the cell to divide abnormally quickly, leading to the formation of warts. In some cases these cells may also undergo additional genetic mutations, which can lead to the warts becoming cancerous.

Anal Wart Symptoms and Treatments

Most anal warts do not cause any symptoms or, if they do, they are limited to itching, mild bleeding and moisture in the anal area. Anal warts can be treated in a number of different ways, depending on their size and location. Small warts can be treated with chemicals that will just burn them off. Another treatment involves cauterization, where the warts are killed by burning them with either a very hot instrument or an electrical current. Larger warts may be removed by cryotherapy, in which the warts are burned off. Regardless of the therapy method, follow-up visits are usually necessary to make sure the warts do not recur.