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Warning-sign checks

Genital warts: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for trouble breathing, facial or throat swelling, faintness or another sign of a severe allergic reaction after using medicine.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical advice if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or notice a hard, ulcerated, darkly pigmented or persistently bleeding growth.

    Get urgent medical help if swelling or growths make it difficult to pass urine, or if you develop severe pain, spreading redness, pus or fever after a procedure.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment with primary care or a sexual health clinic for new genital or anal bumps, persistent itching, unexplained bleeding or an uncertain growth.

    Seek assessment if a sexual partner has genital warts or another sexually transmitted infection.

The article also says

Contact a clinician if treatment causes marked pain, open sores or irritation that does not settle.

Assessment is also important if warts recur, grow rapidly or do not improve with treatment.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Genital warts. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.