How to Determine if It Is Genital Warts
Nov 25, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
1. Affected Sites and Appearance: Genital warts mainly occur around the genitals and anus, such as the coronal sulcus, foreskin, external urethral orifice, and penis in males, and the labia majora and minora, vaginal opening, clitoris, and vagina in females. The warts exhibit various morphologies, possibly appearing papillary, cauliflower-like, cockscomb-like, or granular, with colors ranging from skin-colored to pale red or gray-white.
Generally, the diagnosis of condyloma acuminatum can be made by evaluating the affected site and appearance, symptom presentation, acetic acid white test, histopathological examination, medical history, and exposure history. Details are as follows:
1. Affected Site and Appearance: Condyloma acuminatum primarily occurs around the genitalia and anus. In males, it may appear on the coronal sulcus, foreskin inside, external urethral orifice, penis, and other areas. In females, it may appear on the labia majora/minora, vaginal opening, clitoris, vagina, and other areas. The warts exhibit various morphologies, such as papillary, cauliflower-like, cockscomb-like, or granular forms, and their color may be skin-colored, pale red, or gray-white.
2. Symptom Presentation: Patients with condyloma acuminatum may not experience obvious symptoms, but some patients may develop itching, pain, burning sensation, or a foreign body sensation at the affected site. As the condition progresses, the warts may gradually increase in size and number, and symptoms such as erosion, exudation, bleeding, or secondary infection may occur.
3. Acetic Acid White Test: A physician may apply acetic acid solution locally onto or around the warts by wet敷ing. After 5–10 minutes, the lesion site is observed. If the mucosa turns white, the acetic acid white test is considered positive, suggesting possible presence of condyloma acuminatum. However, the acetic acid white test is not absolutely accurate, and some patients may show false-positive reactions due to chronic inflammation or other reasons.
4. Histopathological Examination: For atypical lesions or suspected cases of condyloma acuminatum, histopathological examination can be performed. A small sample of the wart tissue is taken, sectioned, and examined for histopathological features of condyloma acuminatum, such as the presence of koilocytes.
5. Medical History and Exposure History: Understanding the patient's medical history and exposure history is also an important basis for diagnosing condyloma acuminatum. If the patient has a history of unprotected sexual activity, a sexual partner with infection, or contact with secretions or body fluids from individuals with condyloma acuminatum, condyloma acuminatum should be highly suspected.
If symptoms or signs suggestive of condyloma acuminatum appear, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention for professional diagnosis and treatment.
