Genital Warts (HPV) (for Teens) (2024)

FAQs

Can a 15 year old get genital warts? ›

Although kids get warts most often, teens and adults can get them too. Sometimes warts are sexually transmitted and appear in the genital area. But most warts affect the fingers, hands, face, and feet.

Some types of HPV can cause warts. HPV-6 and HPV-11 are two examples. Other types, such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, don't cause warts but can lead to certain cancers.

Before or during birth (from the mother who has the virus) While having diapers changed (from the hands of someone with the virus) During bathing (from towels that have been used by someone with the virus) By spreading their own warts (from their hands to another part of the body)

Sometimes, the immune system clears the warts within a few months. But even if the warts go away, the HPV might still be active in the body. So the warts can come back. Usually within 2 years, the warts and the HPV are gone from the body.

Telling someone you have an STD can be hard, but genital warts are common and they don't lead to serious health problems. So try not to be too embarrassed or stressed out about it. There's no one way to talk to a partner about having an STD, but here are some basic tips that may help: Keep calm and carry on.

Genital warts can be an embarrassing topic. But unfortunately there are lots of people out there who catch them. However, if you do ever get them that doesn't mean that it's the end of the world.

Genital warts generally don't cause any serious health complications. The strain of HPV that cause genital warts is low-risk. The HPV strains that cause cancer aren't the same ones that cause genital warts.

Some cells in the normal-appearing genital skin and vagin* may remain infected with HPV. There is currently no treatment that will permanently get rid of HPV in all infected cells, but most people will clear the virus and the warts with their own immune systems within two years.

For 90 percent of women with HPV, the condition will clear up on its own within two years.

The HPV infection is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact. There are several risk factors that increase the chance of a child getting a HPV infection: Having a cut – The disease can enter the blood stream through an opening in the skin (like a cut).

How do I know if my child has HPV? ›

Many children and adolescents experience no symptoms, but others may have warts that are large or small, raised or flat, or domed or cauliflower shaped on the hands, soles of feet, or around the genitals. In some cases, warts are found around the anus.

It is possible to spread the virus through intimate contact that does not include intercourse, such as genital-to-genital contact or oral-to-genital contact. So, it is possible that someone who has not had intercourse could be infected with HPV and spread it to others.

Our experts say, the most important thing to know if you have HPV is that the risk of cancer is very small, but should be taken seriously. “Don't panic and don't ignore it,” says Lois Ramondetta, M.D., professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine.

You can get HPV by having vagin*l, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vagin*l or anal sex. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex. A person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even when they have no signs or symptoms.

Although HPV isn't curable in all cases, genital warts are treatable. You can also go extended periods of time without an outbreak, but it may not be possible to get rid of the warts forever. That's because genital warts are only a symptom of HPV, which may become a chronic, lifelong infection for some.

Molluscum contagiosum can be mistaken for genital warts or pimples. If you notice any unusual skin lesions, see your doctor or health professional for an accurate diagnosis. There is no test for molluscum contagiosum. It is diagnosed through a physical examination by looking at the appearance of the lesions.

Genital warts look like skin-colored or whitish bumps that show up on your vulva, vagin*, cervix, penis, scrotum, or anus. They kind of look like little pieces of cauliflower. You can have just one wart or a bunch of them, and they can be big or small. They might be itchy, but most of the time they don't hurt.

Over time, your body will often build up a resistance and fight warts off. But it may take months or as many as 2 years for them to disappear. In adults, warts often stick around even longer, perhaps several years or more. Some warts won't ever go away.