How Serious Are Genital Warts?

Posted on Wed, 19 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 Answered on

Tue, 8 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hey I'm a male who has warts around the anus without contact. And my doctor said they were harmless and gave me cream which clear the wart. Should I take his word. Are genital warts usually harmless. Is there a difference between genital wart type and hpv. Should I be worried? Does the immune system usually eliminate the virus?

Answered by Dr. Charu Bansal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
genital warts are caused by HPV

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic.com.
I have read your query.
I understand your concern.
Genital warts are caused by HPV that is Human papilloma virus. These are most of the times acquired by sexual contact. If acquired by sexual contact then other sexually transmitted diseases need to be ruled out including syphilis and HIV. So it is a common protocol followed in XXXXXXX to order tests for Syphilis and HIV to look for associated diseases in a patient with Genital warts. Genital warts are otherwise harmless and can be easily treated by various preparations. B

Once our body recognizes HPV , the immune system gets activated and may eliminate the virus. But in case immune system activation is not strong enough to eliminate virus then warts may appear later also.
I will advise you to discuss this with your doctor so that he may order tests for you.
I hope it helps. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad