Venereal warts

Venereal warts have become one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Papillomavirus infection is now of considerable interest because of its association with various malignancies, particularly carcinoma of the cervix. Although some physicians have emphasized the need to detect subclinical or hidden lesions by acetic acid (vinegar) application, colposcopy, urethroscopy, proctoscopy, or DNA hybridization techniques, others think that routine use of such investigations may be impractical because the treatment is often unsatisfactory. Although visible lesions can be eradicated, papillomavirus can often be detected in areas that are clinically normal, and recurrences are common. The need for Pap smears and biopsies of suspicious lesions in these patients is emphasized.