More than 100 strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause warts on the skin, feet, face, and other parts of the body. About 30 HPV strains can affect your genitals, including your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and scrotum, as well as your rectum and anus. A sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as HPV that affects your genitals is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. It is common for people to cringe at the thought of STIs, but most genital HPV strains are harmless. Some HPV strains can lead to cancers, like cervical cancer, while others can cause genital warts. It is possible to prevent cervical cancer by getting vaccinated against HPV and having regular Pap smears.
HPV is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids that contain the virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or rectal fluid. The most common ways of getting HPV are:
Having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone who has HPV.
Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment with someone who has HPV.
Getting a blood transfusion, organ transplant, or tissue graft from someone who has HPV (very rare in countries where blood and organs are screened for HPV).
Being born to or breastfed by a mother who has HPV.
The symptoms of HPV infection vary depending on the type and the location of the virus. Some of the common symptoms of HPV infection are:
Small, rough, or cauliflower-like growths that can appear on the skin or mucous membranes are warts. Warts can occur on the hands, feet, face, or genitals. Genital warts may cause itching, irritation, or bleeding, but they may also be flat, raised, or hidden within the body. Genital warts are usually painless.
Pap smears, which are tests for cervical cancer, can detect changes in cervix cells as a result of HPV infection. Pap smears can detect these changes, which can range in severity from mild to severe. HPV DNA can also be detected in cervical cells during a Pap smear.
This type of cancer affects the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is usually caused by high-risk HPVs, including HPV 16 and 18. Cervical cancer can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain, especially during or after sexual activity. Cervical cancer can also spread to the bladder, the rectum, or the lungs.
The HPV virus can also cause cancer in other parts of the body, such as the vulva, the vagina, the penis, the anus, the mouth, or the throat. These types of cancer can also be caused by high-risk HPV types. They can cause lumps, sores, ulcers, pain, or bleeding in addition to cervical cancer.
The diagnosis of HPV infection is based on the medical history, the physical examination, and the results of some tests. Some of the tests that are used to diagnose or monitor HPV infection are:
Visual examination of warts or lesions on the skin or mucous membranes may not detect all HPV infections, especially if they are small, flat, or hidden within the body.
It involves taking a sample of the cervix, the vagina, the penis, the anus, the mouth, or the throat and testing it for HPV DNA. You can use this test to identify the type and amount of HPV in the sample, as well as your cancer risk. Usually, women over 30 years old and women with abnormal Pap smear results are tested for this test in conjunction with a Pap smear.
In a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed from the wart, the lesion, or the affected organ and examined under a microscope. This test can confirm HPV infection, and other conditions that can cause similar symptoms can be ruled out as well, including herpes, syphilis, and cancer.
There is no cure for HPV infection, and the virus can stay in the body for a long time, even after the symptoms disappear. However, there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and the complications of HPV infection, such as:
In addition to salicylic acid, imiquimod, podofilox, trichloroacetic acid, and interferon, medications can be used to remove or reduce warts or lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. The medications can be applied directly to the affected area, taken orally, or injected.
In surgery, warts, lesions, or abnormal cells can be removed or destroyed using different methods, such as freezing, burning, cutting, or lasers. Among these procedures are cryotherapy, electrocautery, surgical excision, laser surgery, and loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP).
Cancer cells caused by HPV infection can be killed or stopped from growing through chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These therapies can be given as pills, injections, or external beams.
The best way to prevent HPV infection is to avoid or reduce the exposure to the virus and to boost the immune system. Some of the ways to prevent HPV infection are:
You should use condoms, dental dams, and female condoms every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You should also limit your sexual partners and get tested for HPV and other STIs regularly.
Get vaccinated against HPV, which can protect you from the most common and the most dangerous types of HPV, especially HPV 16 and 18. It is recommended that girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 26 receive a HPV vaccine before they become sexually active. HPV vaccines are given in a series of two or three shots depending on the age and health status of the recipient.
Smoking, drinking, and using drugs weaken the immune system, making HPV more likely to infect the body. You should also eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and sleep enough to strengthen your immune system.
Getting regular screenings and check-ups, which can help detect and treat HPV infection, as well as its complications, such as warts, cervical dysplasia, or cancer. If you are between 21 and 65 years old, or if you have risk factors, such as a history of HPV infection, abnormal Pap smear results, or a weak immune system, you should get a Pap smear every three years. If you are between 30 and 65 years old, or if you have risk factors, such as a history of HPV infection, abnormal Pap smear results, or a weakened immune system, you should also get an HPV test every five years. If you notice warts, lesions, or bleeding in the genital area, you should also see a doctor.
