Pictures of HPV and Genital Warts

The human papillomavirus, or HPV for short, is a group of viruses that cause a number of adverse external and internal conditions in men and women. With over 200 different types of papillomavirus currently know, of which, as many as 40 can cause extremely adverse conditions. These same 30 to 40 variations of the virus are the major kinds that are transmitted through sexual contact. These types of HPV are responsible for certain kinds of genital and body warts, and can lead to the mutation of tissues and the development of cancer in women and men. Women who suffer from HPV have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, ovarian cancer, and other forms of genital related cancer. While up to 90 percent of cases of HPV go away within two years, being diagnosed and treated for the condition is a key factor to helping prevent cancer development.

These pictures of HPV and genital warts can be used to better explain the virus itself or to help with identification purposes. The cases of genital warts displayed below are more mild to severe cases, since these provide a much easier to understand visual aid for the condition.

This image shows the general shape and form of the HPV virus itself. This virus can cause a number of severe and problematic conditions, including skin and genital wart development and an increased rate of cancer in women. Warts will typically develop in or on the penis or vagina, anus, cervix, scrotum, and vulva, but HPV can cause wart development in most areas of the body.

Since HPV can develop into cervical cancer, it should not be taken lightly. The above chart shows how abnormal tissue development can lead to cancer development.

These are an example of some of the many kinds of warts that can develop from an infection. In addition to genital warts, certain types of HPV can cause the development of flat warts, plantar warts, common warts, an papilloma (a type of small tumor). These warts can develop in a number of different colors and shapes, but most have a skin tone coloration. It is not uncommon to see warts develop in darker or light shades of skin tone, red, or white. Sizes and grouping can range from small, singular warts to larger clusters of warts, like the picture of HPV above is displaying.

The coloration of warts, as stated above, can vary greatly from person to person, and from body part to body part. In most cases, these new growths will be easy to identify through basic visual examinations, but many cases exist where warts are too small for the naked eye to see. A special examination and test administered by a doctor will be needed to see these warts on the skin.

Just like all other sexually transmitted diseases, condoms and safe sex practices can help prevent an HPV infection all together, but as the most commonly transmitted STD in the world, scientists have proven that certain techniques are not as helpful. Wearing a male condom does offer some protection, but skin to skin genital contact can transmit the virus. It is still recommended that condoms be used in all sexual encounters.

If these pictures of HPV and gential warts have made you slightly weary of something on your body, you should contact your doctor for further tests and analysis. Any advice or information found on this page is not recommended to replace advice or instructions given by a doctor or physician.