Genital warts are the commonest viral STI1,2 and second in incidence only to Chlamydia, yet in the 2004 Durex Global Sex Survey only 1% of respondents in the UK noted them as an important sexual health concern, as compared with 55% for AIDS, 6% for Chlamydia and 7% who said they had no concerns.3

Genital warts can be spread not only through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, but through any genital contact with an infected partner. Approximately two thirds of people who have sexual contact with an infected partner will develop warts, usually within three months of contact. Even when they have no symptoms of infection, an infected person may still transmit the virus.4