Anogenital warts are a commonly misunderstood disease. Caused by Human papilloma virus types 6, 11, 42, 43, 44 and 55, among others, anogenital warts, sometimes simply called genital warts, are a type of genital HPV, but are only one small subsection of genital HPV.

Other types of genital HPV may lead to genital cancers, such as cervical cancer, while others may lead to no symptoms whatsoever. Luckily, the types that lead to anogenital warts do not lead to cancer.

That said, the presence of anogenital warts should not be taken as a sign that you do not have an HPV type that can lead to cancer. Multiple HPV types can affect an individual at once, and it is entirely possible to have both anogenital warts and developing cervical cancer from two or more different strains of genital HPV.

Anogenital warts tend to spread only through direct sexual contact. It is possible for anogenital warts to spread to the mouth, though it is somewhat rare.

One common misconception is that HPV is only contagious when an infection is active. This isn’t the case. In fact, HPV can spread for even months after a wart infection clears up. For this reason, we strongly urge that you consult your physician before considering yourself ready to have sex again, and we insist that you use a latex condom during sex.

If you do contract genital warts, they can sometimes be easily identified from a "layman’s" perspective on sight, but other times may only become visible through some medical testing. If you do suspect that you have contracted anogenital warts, make sure to consult your doctor before taking action, lest you wind up treating a pimple or an ingrown hair with an over the counter genital wart remover.

Do not use home remedies on anogenital warts. There are a number of home remedies that work like a charm on common warts on the hands and feet, but your hands and feet are not as sensitive as your genitals. There are some over the counter and prescription treatments for anogenital warts that tend to be highly effective, so there’s no reason to try and treat anogenital warts with slices of garlic, dabs of vinegar, or something you found in a home pedicure kit.

Again, anogenital warts are uncomfortable, but do not lead to cancer. That said, women should make absolutely certain to have their regular pap smear conducted, as this is the only way to identify the types of HPV which show no visible symptoms, but which can lead to cervical cancer. And as always, safe sex should be practiced, in order to prevent contracting or spreading genital HPV.

Because anogenital HPV strains can lie dormant in one’s body for years without showing any visible symptoms, it is possible to see genital warts occur even a decade or longer after contracting the disease. It is also possible to contract anogenital wart causing HPV without ever seeing any visible symptoms. This is worth making a bit more public, as dormant HPV suddenly showing symptoms years after infection has led to a lot of distrust in marriages. Genital warts suddenly appearing are not always a sign of infidelity.

If you do have anogenital warts, just make sure to go through the proper steps. Talk to your doctor, and treat the warts medically.