Genital Warts

[danyy776]

Hi, I am a 21 year old male and I have had unprotected sex twice in my life. I have noticed a bump that is on the head of my penis and it has me concerned. The bump is very small and is rather hard to notice. I have to be kind of looknig for it to find it. Other times it is easier to find though. It is sometimes a little red but not always. It is painless. I sometimes notice other little bumps near it but other times I can't notice the other bumps at all. The bump has been there for at least a month but maybe longer. I am not very familar with genital warts so I was wondering if this sounds like that is what it is. I haven't had sex in a few months so I was wondering how long it takes to show up. Also anything else I should be looknig for that would be common for warts. I was also wondering if it is common to have little bumps on the head of the penis cause a few weeks ago I noticed a few ones after masterbating but they went away after less then a day I believe. This one bump is always there though. This really has me worried and I was hoping you could help me out thanks.

[danyy776]

thankyou for all your help

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Being tested on two successive days w ill not change your test results.  The results you get back for syphilis, and HIV will be completely relaible and definitive.  As for HSV there is a slight (very slight) chance that the test could be positive at a later time (6 months) but that chance is really very, very low. EWH

[danyy776]

also would it matter if I was off a day or 2 on the 12 weeks

[danyy776]

Ok i just have one last question, if i need to pay again thats fine. Since i have been worried about all stds, i got tested for everything but herpes yesterday and I am gonig to get tested for herpres today. I know you guys don't recommend herpes testing unless theres definiate signs but because i can't stop thinking about it i just have to know. My question is because i got blood drawn yesterday would it affect the herpes blood test I would get today cause I just had blood taken yesterday. Also it has been about 12 weeks since the time I had sex so I was wondering if you think the HIV, Herpes and Syphilis blood test would be accurate at this point. Thank you for all your help and I promise i won't keep asking questions. Thank you again

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I think what you heard was incorrect.  HPV is "cleared" by individuals in 8-10 months without therapy, meaning that the body elimiantes it. this is true both for visible genital warts and inapparent HPV infection.  EWH

[danyy776]

Yes you were a lot of help. I am a little confused about the thing where it goes away. So if I do have hpv it will go away in 8-10 months or the wart will go away in 8-10 months, cause i had always heard u always have hpv.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The topic of HPV and genital warts is a complex one.  I will try to provide some facts.  For addition information on this most common of STDs, I would suggest search for other HPV- and wart-related Q&A on this site, as well seeking addition information on sites such as the American Social Health Association web-site (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of ASHA)..

HPV is the most commonly acquired STD.  Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives.  the figures are similar for men but there is more information for women than men.   In some women HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but may lead to changes in PAP smears.  In men the only abnormality typically detected is warts.  In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months.  In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated.  With this as background, the "bump" that you describe really dies not sound like a wart.  Warts typically have a bumpy, almost cauliflower-like appearance.  The are many normal bumps that cam appear on the penis which may be overlooked until someone takes a close look.  

As for what to do, there are several choices. One is to just observe it and not worry.  there is really no harm that will come to you or sex partners from this other than the appearance and if the bump is as small as you indicate, my guess is it would not be noticed.  the alternative is to seek the opinion of a health care provider such as a dermatologist who can take an look and if need be, treat it.  Either way, it really is nothing to be upset about.

Hope this helps. Check out the web site for more information.  EWH