Papillomavirus infections (warts)
Papillomavirus infections (warts) include common skin and plantar warts. Warts are usually self-limited. Effective topically are 17% liquid salicylic acid on the fingers and 40% plaster salicylic acid on the soles. Cryotherapy is effective.
CASES/YEAR
45,000,000 (US); 900,000,000 (Global)
OTHER NAMES
Common skin and plantar warts; Verruca vulgaris;
INCUBATION
As long as two years (usually 3-4 months); [Harrisons, 18th ed, p. 568] 1-20 months (usually 2-3 months); [CCDM]
INITIAL SYMPTOMS
Common skin and plantar warts;
COMMENTS
There are more than 125 human papillomavirus (HPV) types. Types 6 and 11 cause anogenital warts. Types 16 and 18 cause 70-85% of cervical cancers. [Harrisons, p. 432] Humans are the reservoir. Infection can be transmitted by fomites. Respiratory warts are called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Genital warts are called condyloma acuminata. Rarely in immunocompromised patients, warts become malignant. [CCDM, p. 298-9] "Other groups at high risk for the development of cutaneous warts include butchers, meat packers, and fish handlers." [PPID, p. 1918] Types 1, 2, 4, 27, and 29 cause common warts. [Merck Manual, p. 1083] See "Papillomavirus infections (anogenital)."
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
-
S papules or plaques
-
S warty growth of the skin
ENTRY
Skin or Mucous Membranes (Includes Conjunctiva)
RISK FACTORS
- AIDS patients
- Touch infected meat or poultry
TREATMENT
Warts are usually self-limited. Effective topically are 17% liquid salicylic acid on the fingers and 40% plaster salicylic acid on the soles. Cryotherapy is effective. [Merck Manual, p. 1084]
REFERENCES FOR CASES/YEAR
1. (US) 7% to 10% of people have warts; [Gorbach, p. 404] Common and plantar warts are common, especially in children, with prevalence rates of up to 30% reported; [Cecil, p. 2186] Estimate 15% of population: 15% X 300 million = 45 million;
2. (Global) 20 X US cases/yr;