Genital warts, like other warts, are caused by the human pappilomavirus. Also known as condylomata acuminata or venereal warts, they often appear wet-looking, differentiating them from regular warts in the body which look more dry.

While genital warts-like lesions may be herpes symptoms, they are often not herpes at all. Usually, if you have herpes, you will exhibit other symptoms such as a tingling sensation progressing to burning and painful lesions. If you have never had herpes, an initial outbreak can be very painful and multiple lesions will present first in blister form then progressing to crusting over during healing.

In men, genital warts may grow on the penis, around the anus, and in the area between the penis and the scrotum. In women, they are often found on the vulva, the walls of the vagina and on the cervix. They can lead to cancer of the cervix in women or cancer of the penis in men. They can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected individual.

They are sexually transmitted and can be passed on by someone even when there are no current warts on their skin. This is because while the warts can be treated and removed, the virus stays on the host.

Most genital warts can be detected by watching out for the following:

* Tiny, gray, pink or red swellings in your genital area that grow quickly

* Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape

* Itching or burning in your genital area

* Discomfort, pain or bleeding with intercourse