What does the human papillomavirus look like?

The human papillomavirus manifests as small pink, red or flesh-colored growths located on or near the sex organs, according to WebMD. These growths, also known as genital warts, can be transmitted easily via sexual contact.

The CDC estimates that up to half of sexually active people, both men and women, will contract genital HPV in their lifetimes, notes WebMD. Warts appear 1 to 3 months after exposure to an infected person and can take on a cauliflower-like appearance. They may be very small and hard to see and often appear in clusters with three or four warts growing together. Sometimes they itch, burn and cause pain.