[5] Genital Warts Flashcards
What are genital warts?
Benign epithelial growths or mucosal outgrowths
What causes genital warts?
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
What sort of virus is HPV?
DNA virus
How common are genital warts?
The most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK
What has affected the prevalence of genital warts?
Widespread vaccination for HPV
When was vaccination for HPV started?
2008
What was the prevalence of genital warts in 14-24 year olds undergoing chlamydia screening prior to 2008?
35%
What is expected to happen to the prevalence of genital warts?
Fall
How many types of HPV are there?
> 100
What varies with the type of HPV?
Type of warts
What number of HPV types have been associated with anogenital warts?
> 40
What is another name for anogenital warts?
Condyloma acuminatum
What are the most important types of HPV?
- HPV 6
- HPV 11
What % of anogenital warts are caused by HPV 6 and 11?
~90%
How are infections of HPV causing genital warts spread?
Skin-to-skin contact in sex
What types of sex can cause genital wart transmission?
- Vaginal
- Anal
- Non-penetrative
Do condoms stop the spread of genital warts?
Not 100%
Why don’t condoms fully prevent genital warts spreading?
They do not cover all areas of skin e.g. inner thighs
How can genital warts be spread more rarely?
- Hand to genitals
- Oral sex
- To neonate during delivery
How does the HPV virus infect the host?
Penetrates the epithelial barrier and infects basal keratinocytes
What happens once HPV infects basal keratinocytes?
Replicates causing keratinocyte multiplication and rapid growth manifesting as lesions
Why is the main concern with HPV infection?
Some types are high-risk oncogenic
What can high-risk oncogenic types of HPV lead to?
Precancerous lesions
What can persistent infection with high-risk oncogenic HPV types lead to?
Cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus (and penis)
What cancer is HPV most commonly associated with?
Cervical cancer
What types of HPV are most commonly associated with cervical cancer?
- HPV 16
- HPV 18
What % of cases of cervical cancer are associated with HPV 16/18 infection?
70%
How are most cases of HPV 16/18 infection detected?
Abnormal cervical screening result
Are HPV 6 and 11 associated with cancer?
No
What are the risk factors for genital warts?
- Early age at first sexual experience
- Multiple partners
- Immunosuppression
- Smoking
- Diabetes associated with persistence of warts
What happens in most cases of HPV infection?
Asymptomatic with spontaneous resolution
Where can genital warts affect?
- Penis
- Scrotum
- Vulva
- Vagina
- Cervix
- Perianal skin
- Inside the anus