Genital warts - Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Once you notice warts in your genital area, you should see a doctor. The health care providers usually diagnose genital warts by examining the genital area. Sometimes the warts may be difficult to see. The doctor may apply an acetic acid solution to the genitals to whiten any warts present there. The doctor will be able to view them through a colposcope.
For women, it's important to have regular exams and Pap tests, which can help detect vaginal and cervical changes caused by genital warts or the early stages of cervical cancer , which is a possible complication of HPV infection. The medical practitioner can diagnose HPV infection based on results from an abnormal Pap smear.
Another test to diagnose HPV infection detects HPV DNA, which may indicate possible infection
Misdiagnosis cautions
There is a common misconception that hirsuties papillaris genitalis (see picture) is genital warts. Hirsuties papillaris genitalis is not contagious and requires no treatment. It is commonly known as "pearly penile papules", which is a clinical skin condition. It is harmless with no malignant potential. The condition can be treated with carbon dioxide laser for cosmetic reasons.
Genital warts may be confused with Molluscum contagiosum (MC) (see picture), which is a viral infection of the skin, often transmitted sexually, but not occurring internally as do genital warts. MC looks like small warts, which are much smaller than genital HPV warts.