Because HPV is not a systemic infection, that is, it exists only in the skin cells, there is no blood test to detect it. Medical personnel will typically identify a genital wart infection by visibly inspecting the suspected area or, in the case of cervical infections in women, through the results of an annual PAP smear. After the PAP smear, abnormal cells are identified under a magnifying glass verify or rule out an HPV infection.

Treatment for vaginal warts

Genital warts are symptoms of a viral infection which may persist indefinitely in the tissues around the affected area. Treatments are intended to remove the warts so as to arrest the advancement of the virus, reduce the possibility of spreading the virus to others and eliminate any physical or psychological discomfort associated with the vaginal warts. Removal of warts, however, is not necessarily a cure. As long as the virus is present, genital warts may recur and require additional treatment.

Various treatments are currently recommended by physicians to remove genital warts. Wart treatments include, but are not limited to, topical chemical solutions, topical anti-viral solutions, cryotherapy (using liquid nitrogen), surgical removal, and electrosurgery.