Genital/Anogenital Warts

Michael Melia, M.D.

PATHOGENS

  • The most common viral sexually transmitted infection.
  • All anogenital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
  • Most (>90%) anogenital warts are benign, caused by HPV subtypes 6 and 11, which are "low-risk" (for malignancy) HPV subtypes.
    • HPV subtypes 16 and 18, the most common "high-risk" subtypes, cause ~70% of cervical cancers but usually do not cause warts.
    • These other "intermediate risk" HPV subtypes, including 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35, are associated with high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-SIL) and are occasionally found in warts, particularly in persons with concurrent HIV infection.
  • For additional non-genital wart information, see the HPV module.

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Last updated: March 7, 2023