Genital Warts
Genital warts grow in, on or around your genitals and your anus. They are passed on through sex, especially if someone has visible warts at that moment. The warts are caused by a wart virus: Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts are not harmful and mostly go away by themselves. If they bother you, you can get treatment.
How do you know they are genital warts?
- Genital warts look like small cauliflowers. They are reddish-pink or greyish-white
- You’ll usually get a few small warts first. Often, they will then grow and spread
- They may be itchy or painful
- They can also grow in your vagina or anus. Then you won’t see them
Treatment
Genital warts are not harmful. They don’t necessarily have to be treated. But if they bother you, there are treatments you can try:
- You can apply a cream to them
- The doctor can remove the warts by heating them or applying a liquid
- If there are many of them, the doctor may remove them surgically. This is done under local anesthesia
The warts may come back. Because the virus that causes them often remains in your body.
Wart virus: HPV
Genital warts are caused by a virus: HPV. As part of childhood vaccinations, children in Curaçao are offered a vaccine called Gardasil 4. This offers protection against HPV strains which are commonly associated with genital warts and cervical cancer.
If you have not received the HPV vaccine or want to learn more about it, contact CSGC.
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