Causes of Anal Warts

Overview

Anal warts are caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). Viruses are contagious and easily spread. Sexual intercourse with an infected individual causes anal warts. They might not apprear for up to 6 months, after intimate contact with someone infected with HPV. They are also called condyloma, or veneral warts. The virus that causes anal warts can be present but not visible. Two-thirds of people who come in contact with the virus that causes anal warts will also become infected.

Features

Anal warts are small pink or grayish white lesions, or "bumps." They often appear in small grapelike clusters. They may cause itching. Sometimes there are no symptoms. The anal area may feel moist. Occasional bleeding is possible. They may be misinterpreted as hemorrhoids. Any lesion or growth in the genital area should be investigated.

Types

There are over 40 strains of HPV virus that can cause warts in the genital area. Not all strains of HPV cause anal or genital warts. Warts caused by human papilloma virus can be present in any area of the body, and can also be spread by using a towel or washcloth of someone who is infected with HPV. Anal warts are usually spread by sexual contact. Syphillis can also cause warts around the anal area, and are known as Condyloma latum.

Significance

One in five people in the United States are infected with HPV. Human papilloma virus is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. HPV that causes anal warts do not lead to cancer.

Considerations

You can have the HPV virus that causes genital warts and pass it to someone else easily. It is possible to be infected and not know it. The only way to ensure you will not get anal warts that can affect any part of the genital area is by not having sex. Condom use can help but is not entirely protective. The risk of developing anal warts is greater if you have had multiple sex partners.

Identification and Treatment

Your doctor can tell if you have anal warts by looking. In healthy individuals, they may disappear because natural immunity rids the body of the virus. Without treatment, they can grow. Topical solutions can be used to destroy the lesions, but the warts can return, and may be difficult to eliminate entirely. Repeated treatment may be necessary. The virus that causes genital warts remains present in the body. If anal warts are caused by syphilis, antibiotics are used as treatment.