HPV may cause no symptoms
Some types of human papillomavirus cause warts; others are linked to certain cancers. A genital lesion alone cannot reveal when the infection was acquired.
Assessment before treatment
Not every lesion is a wart. An examination helps guide the diagnosis and determine whether tests or treatment are needed.
Options and prevention
Warts can be treated with different techniques depending on their location and extent. Removing a wart does not guarantee eliminating the virus. Vaccination prevents new infections with covered types but does not treat an existing infection; suitability is assessed individually.
Patient information · Editorial update: October 2026.
Reference: CDC: genital HPV infection. This content does not replace a medical consultation.