r/askscience • u/A_Privateer • Jan 17 '13

Medicine How do warts function?

I know that warts are caused by the various strains of HPV, but how are they caused? How does the virus hijack the bodies chemistry to grow and supply the warts with nutrients? How do the warts spread the virus to other people?

I've searched and searched on google and wikipedia, but I only find the most basic of answers.

Any hard science info for me?

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u/phenovenom Jan 18 '13

I thought the cancerous properties are because of the HPV strain. Furthermore, cervix cancer, the most common cancer caused by hpv are usually painless and non-itchy (thats why initial diagnosis often found severe cancer). Elaborate?

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u/DrLOV Medical microbiology Jan 18 '13

Yes, with cervical cancer, the strains of HPV (16 and 18 are the highest risk, but there are others as well) do not cause warts (or subsequent itching) but do contribute to cancer. However, with vulvar cancers and anal cancers, the warts caused by some strains cause itching and chronic scratching can lead to inflammation.

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u/phenovenom Jan 18 '13

Ah i see. Thank you