Genital Warts are contracted by having sex with an infected partner. Even just close genital contact is enough to spread the condition. Genital warts are normally painless but may be itchy, although they may become painful during sexual intercourse depending on the location of the warts.

Genital warts can appear on the skin anywhere in the genital area as white or flesh-coloured, smooth, small bumps, or larger, fleshy, cauliflower-like lumps.

Both men and women are equally at risk of developing genital warts. In rare cases adults and children can be infected indirectly, for instance through the use of an infected towel. Babies can also be infected during delivery (see genital warts during pregnancy).

Not everyone infected with HPV will develop genital warts. Some will be infected with a strain that does not produce warts, or they will remain asymptomatic (i.e. no warts will appear) even though the virus is present in their skin.

If you have a partner you are sexually active with, there is a strong possibility they have already contracted the HPV virus from you. However only 50% of people who have HPV develop genital warts.