Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a widespread virus affecting various body areas. More than 100 kinds of HPV exist, including HPV strains causing warts on the feet, face, and hands. Around 30 types usually occur in the genitals, such as the vulva, cervix, vagina, penis, scrotum, plus the anus and rectum. This comprises the HPV responsible for genital warts.
HPV affecting the genitals is classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is spread via skin-to-skin contact, especially during sexual activity. While the thought of having STIs may cause anxiety, most strains of genital HPV aren’t harmful.
In general, HPV is among the most prevalent viral STIs in the US, with about 14 million new infection cases annually. It’s highly common that the majority of sexually active individuals who haven’t received a vaccine against it will contract the virus at a certain point in life, often without even realizing it.
Nevertheless, some HPV strains are classified as high-risk and may result in cancers of the cervix, vagina and vulvar. Early diagnosis through HPV screening and Pap smears and promptly treating these precancerous cells significantly reduces the risk of cancer.
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Some HPV strains, particularly types 16 and 18, may trigger changes in the cervix cells, a disorder known as cervical dysplasia. If not treated, cervical dysplasia may progress to cervical cancer.
For those below 30 years, many HPV infections resolve on their own. However, after 30, the presence of HPV strains during a Pap smear may indicate how often follow-up testing is needed. A positive HPV test means higher risk, and you require more frequent screenings.
Regular Pap smears, often from the age of 21, are essential for detecting cervical cancer early. However, it’s important to note that having HPV or cervical dysplasia doesn’t automatically lead to cancer.
HPV strains affecting the genital area do not often trigger symptoms. But when present, the common sign is the warts in the genitals. Genital warts appear irregular, cauliflower-like bumps on the skin and may resemble skin tags. They can develop weeks, months, or sometimes years after a person is exposed to low-risk HPV. Like all kinds of HPV, these warts are transmittable and can cause itching and discomfort.
High-risk HPV types don’t usually cause any symptoms till they advance to cancer.
Yes, all warts are HPV, which could be confusing, particularly when distinguishing between the HPV strains causing warts on fingers or genital areas and those that may result in cervical cancer.
The HPV strains responsible for warts, such as genital warts, tend to be annoying yet harmless. The types of HPV that most commonly cause genital warts are types 6 and 11. Other HPV strains can lead to warts in different areas of the body. They include flat warts, plantar warts, and periungual and subungual warts.
While HPV is the cause of all warts, not every strain or type of HPV results in warts. The strains that can lead to cancer do not usually cause warts.
Genital HPV is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact during sexual activities like oral and anal sex. One can contract the infection, especially if the genital areas, including the vagina, vulva, scrotum, and penis, as well as the anus and rectum, are exposed to the corresponding body parts of someone infected.
While it’s also possible to transmit the virus via hand-to-genital contact, such as hand jobs or fingering, this mode of transmission is less common and not well understood as genital-to-genital encounter.
Anyone who engages in sexual intercourse or skin-to-skin genital encounter with an infected partner can contract HPV. Likewise, any person with the virus can transmit it during oral sex and anal sex, or any other genital contact.
Individuals who are HIV positive may find it more challenging to fight off HPV infections due to a weakened immune system. Also, men with penises who engage in intercourse with people of the same sexual category are more likely to get high-risk HPV strains that can lead to cancer. In such cases, healthcare providers may suggest an anal Pap test. Although anal Pap test isn’t used for testing HPV, it helps screen for cell changes that could indicate cancer. Consult your doctor to find out if you need to be tested.
Irrespective of the reproductive anatomy, it’s essential to prevent the transmission of HPV by receiving vaccination and practising safe intercourse. This includes consistent and proper condoms and dental dam use.
Cancer is the severe complication associated with HPV is cancer. Cervical cancer is also among the most prevalent type related to the virus. Other less common HPV-related cancers include:
It is essential to note that being infected with the virus, even a high-risk HPV strain, does not imply that you will get these cancers.
Another HPV complication is the development of genital warts. These warts cause itchiness and discomfort, potentially disrupting daily life. However, apart from these symptoms, genital warts generally do not pose any significant risk.
Doctors often diagnose genital warts as well as other types of warts simply through visual examination. High-risk HPV forms usually do not present symptoms, meaning the infection is likely to be discovered during regular HPV tests or Pap smears.
Additional procedures that doctors can use to identify possible abnormal cells that may be triggered by HPV infection are:
While treatments can remove noticeable warts and abnormal cervical cells, they do not eliminate the virus from the body. Treatment options may involve the following:
A small percentage of individuals with high-risk HPV infection have abnormal cervical cells that require treatment to prevent them from turning into cancer.
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The best way of preventing HPV is through sexual abstinence. However, most people aim to reduce their risk of infection and cervical cancer while maintaining a healthy sex life. Here are some ways to minimize your risk:
The most effective way to protect oneself against HPV is to receive vaccination before being sexually active, preferably about ages 11 or 12. Even if you are already sexually active, the vaccine may still keep you safe from HPV strains you have not yet encountered. Consult your healthcare provider to know if you can get vaccinated.
Early HPV and abnormal cell detection helps avoid cervical cancer. It’s advisable to start routine Pap smears at the age of 21. Discuss an appropriate screening schedule with your provider.
Although dental dams and condoms are less effective protection against HPV compared to STIs spread via bodily fluids, using them correctly and consistently can still lower your possibility of contracting the infection.
Inform your partner if you’ve been diagnosed with HPV infection so they can also get tested. You might be required to abstain from intercourse while receiving treatment for high-risk HPV or genital warts. Discuss the necessary precautions to take with your provider.
The overall prognosis for individuals with HPV is positive, though this varies based on the HPV strain and the body’s ability to fight off the infection. For those with a low-risk strain and great health, the body will likely get rid of the infection in 12 to 24 months.
Some strains may result in cancer. Therefore, your doctor will keep a close eye on these strains and suggest additional tests or treatment if necessary. Timely detection and follow-up screenings, like regular Pap tests, can help prevent high-risk HPV from resulting in cervical cancer.
No, HPV is currently not curable. However, the immune system is quite effective at clearing the virus, with around 90% of infections resolving within one or two years.
No, this is not always the case. You will be contagious for as long as the virus is in your body, even if you have no symptoms. For instance, if your genital warts have resolved, you can still transmit the HPV that triggered them if the virus remains in your body.
Visit your healthcare provider if you experience the following signs:
It’s also important to ask your doctor how often you should undergo tests to check for an HPV infection, such as Pap smears. Talk to your provider about any worries you may have regarding HPV, particularly if you have a medical disorder compromising your immune system, as this can make it more challenging to fight off the virus.
Questions to ask your healthcare provider
Consider asking your healthcare provider the following questions:
HPV is extremely common, and nearly everyone has been or will be infected at a certain point in life. Luckily, most cases of HPV infections resolve on their own as the body fights off the virus.
Determining whether your partner contracted HPV infection from you or a previous partner can be difficult since it can take several years for symptoms to appear. Therefore, the best approach is to undergo routine health screenings and openly communicate with your partner about your health history.
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