Genital warts: When a small rash hints at something more serious

Unprotected sex with an infected partner or having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of genital warts transmission. [Courtesy]

It begins with a late-night Google search, followed by fear of the unknown: what are these rashes or small dots on my vagina or penis? What disease causes rashes in the private parts? For many, this 'small rash' or 'black dots' evolves into something far more persistent, perhaps mistaken at first for a minor irritation or an ingrown hair.

For many, this 'small rash' develops into something more enduring. Genital warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), although it should be noted that not all forms of HPV cause warts. Arguably, genital warts are among the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally, yet they remain shrouded in myths about who carries them and how they are treated.