Genital Warts/Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some produce warts — plantar warts on the feet, common hand warts, juvenile warts, butcher's warts, and genital warts. About 30 types of HPV can infect the genital area — the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum. Some types may cause genital warts. Other types cause changes in cells and increase the risk of cervical and other certain types of cancers. Most types seem to have no harmful effect at all. There is no cure for genital warts. There are treatments to help remove the visible warts.

For more information on symptoms of genital warts, how it is spread, how it is treated, and how it is prevented, see below:

Genital Warts/Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Basics

• STD Facts: Genital Warts/Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  MDH overview of genital warts, HPV: signs and symptoms, transmission, complications, prevention. (Download PDF versions below, formatted for print)
  • STD Facts: Genital Warts/Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (English) (PDF: 4 KB/1 page)
    • Spanish (PDF: 4 KB/1 page)
    • Amharic (PDF: 65 KB/1 page)
    • Oromo (PDF: 6 KB/1 page)
    • Somali (PDF: 4 KB/1 page)
      
  
  
• Evaluation and Management of Abnormal Pap Smears
  MDH primer for primary care providers on the management of abnormal Pap smears.
  
  
• For Persons Who Have Been Sexually Assaulted - Information You Should Know About STDs
  For those who may have been sexually assaulted, this brochure provides guidelines on being tested for HIV and other STDs. The brochure may be downloaded for duplication purposes.
  
  
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
  The FDA has approved the first vaccine for human papillomavirus, HPV. The vaccine covers four types of HPV which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of warts.
  
  
• New Technologies for Cervical Cancer Screening
  Summary of cervical cancer screening technologies by the Health Technology Advisory Committee.
  
  
• Programs to Prevent and Reduce the Risks of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases: Minnesota Statute § 121A.23 for STD/HIV Education in Schools
  Statute requiring HIV and STD education to be provided in the classroom within Minnesota’s school districts.
  
  
• Screening for Cervical Cancer: Recent Advances
  Summary of cervical cancer screening recent advances by the Health Technology Advisory Committee.
  
  
• Key Cervical Cancer Facts For Minnesota
  Statistics on the number of cervical cancer cases, deaths, and number of women screened in Minnesota.
  
  
• The Sage Screening Program (formerly the Minnesota Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program)
  is a statewide comprehensive breast and cervical cancer screening program whose primary objective is to increase the proportion of age-appropriate women who are screened for breast and cervical cancer
  

Getting Tested for Genital Warts/Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Genital Warts/Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the News

• National STD Awareness Month
  Tip sheets on how to plan activities for National STD Awareness Month developed by the MDH.

External Links

• Genital Warts/HPV Disease Information
  CDC overview of genital warts: signs and symptoms, transmission, complications, prevention. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Information To Live By: HPV
  American Social Health Association overview of HPV: signs and symptoms, transmission, complications, prevention. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Talking with patients about HPV vaccine
  CDC has recently updated its HPV brochure for clinicians and posted four sets of counseling messages to assist providers in their HPV-related discussions with patients. The counseling messages address information for parents about the HPV vaccine, information for women about the Pap and HPV tests, information for women who receive a positive HPV test result, and information for patients receiving a genital warts diagnosis. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• HPV: Promoting Early Adolescent Vaccination (Health Plan Initiative) Attention: Non-MDH link
  The HPV performance improvement initiative is a collaborative effort by nine health plans contracted to provide quality improvement projects targeted at the Medicaid population in Minnesota. The goals of the initiative are to promote awareness of the HPV vaccination and to increase the percentage of females that receive vaccination. Learn more about the intervention strategies and resources available for providers on this site.
  
  
• STD Treatment Guidelines
  CDC’s latest treatment guidelines for STDs. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• The Cincinnati STD/HIV Prevention Training Center: STD Image Library
  Image library of STD symptoms developed by the Cincinnati STD/HIV Prevention Training Center. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Minnesota Family Planning and STD Hotline
  Toll-free hotline for confidential information about the prevention, testing locations and treatment of STDs in Minnesota. (1-800-78-FACTS)
  Attention: Non-MDH link

Content Notice: This site contains HIV or STD prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV and other STDs are spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this web site.

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