Referral guidelines: Dermatology: Viral Warts

Dermatology: Viral Warts

Referral guidelines

CATEGORY DEFINITIONS
These are recommended guidelines for health professionals referring patients for assessments / treatment in a HHS.

within 1 week

within 4 weeks

within 16 weeks

Immediate and Urgent cases must be discussed with the Specialist or Registrar in order to get appropriate prioritisation and then a referral letter sent with the patient, faxed or e-mailed. The times to assessment may vary depending on size and staffing of the hospital department.

Diagnosis	Evaluation	Management Options	Referral Guidelines
	Clinical diagnosis	Consider not treating	After six months of failed treatment consider referral to dermatology. Category 3
	Genital warts: investigate for sexually transmitted diseases.	Three months of wart paint followed by three months of regular cryotherapy. (See Sexual Health Referral Recommendations )	Refer to Sexual Health Service for investigation and treatment.
	Anogenital warts in children.	Consider possibility of sexual abuse (the majority are not). (See Paediatric Medicine Referral Recommendations )	Consider referral to community paediatrician if sexual abuse is suspected. Category 1
Other References: Differential Diagnosis in Dermatology. Richard Ashton & Barbara Leppard. Radcliffe Medical Press. 1990