Genital warts are quite possibly the most painful among the various types of warts - and certainly the most distressing. Scientifically called ‘condylomata acuminata', they are among the most prevalent and contagious types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). They are called so because genital warts affect the genital organs in men and women.

In appearance, they are mostly flesh colored bumps, which resemble a cauliflower, and are most often seen on the genitals or the area around the rectum. The age group that is most susceptible is the one from 17 to 33. While both sexes are affected, it has been seen that women are affected more by an infection caused by the HPV.

Caused by some specific strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), they target the moist areas of the sexual organs - such as the lining of the vagina in women. It is important to note at this point that one may get infected while performing oral sex too. There have been cases where a patient has been infected by the venereal strains of the HPV in the throat due to the presence of an infection on the penis of the partner.

Genital Warts - What Are The Susceptible Parts of the Body

As far as women are concerned, the most vulnerable and commonly infected regions are the vulva, the vaginal canal, the anus, and perhaps most importantly, the cervix - because cervical cancer due to HPV infections is becoming a cause of concern rapidly.

In the case of men, these nasty little things grow on the ‘head' (that is, the shaft) of the penis, the scrotal sacs or the rectal canal leading up to the anus.

Genital Warts - The Virus

While there are serious threats of the infected areas - especially the Cervix in women - turning malignant and subsequently cancerous, it must be noted that most HPV strains which cause genital warts are most unlikely to further complicate matters by turning the infected area malignant as genital warts cure.

The good news is that, medical researchers have concluded that almost 90% of the HPV strains, which cause genital warts for genital warts diagnosis, are most unlikely to cause cancer. However, the strains HPV - 16 and HPV - 18 are the ones, which are really dangerous because they have a strong potential to cause cancer. To make matters worse, many patients suffer from multiple strains of genital warts causing HPV.

Genital Warts - How Does One Get Infected?

Infection occurs, chiefly, through sexual contact. Sometimes one gets infected by means, which have nothing to do with any sexual activity.

For instance, adults can be victim of their own negligence if they share any personal material, such as a towel, of a person who is already infected with HPV. And in something, which is extremely unfortunate, babies sometimes too contract this disease during the delivery process.