HPV

HPV, or human papilloma virus, is the most common STD and is the name of a group of over 100 types of viruses that can cause warts to grow on the skin. A person may not know right away—or even ever—if they have been infected by HPV. Genital warts may not appear until weeks, months or years after the time of infection. Other types of HPV may cause cells on the cervix or in the anus to change and, in rare cases, develop into cancer if left untreated. About 40 million Americans have been diagnosed with HPV, with between 1 and 5 million new cases every year.

HPV is usually spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex with a partner who already has the virus. HPV is most likely to spread when skin is exposed to visible warts, but can still be spread when warts are not visible.

• HPV is the infection. The warts or skin cell changes that might show up are the symptoms.
• The types of HPV that cause visible warts on the genitals (vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, or anus), or throat are different than warts on other body parts (like hands or feet).
• The warts themselves are painless. So it may be hard to know exactly when the infection began.
• Warts usually feel like smooth or rough bumps in or around the vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, anus, or throat .
• People may have HPV and not have any warts that are visible with the naked eye.
• An abnormal Pap smear result may indicate HPV infection in women.

A health care provider can examine infected skin areas for signs of warts. Women can also have a Pap Smear, a test that can find abnormal skin changes on the cervix of the uterus. Note: Many women have abnormal changes caused by HPV. Only a few of those changes may become cancer if untreated. Remember, most of the 5000 deaths each year to cervical cancer in the U.S. could have been prevented by regular Pap testing. The same types of HPV linked to cervical cancer can also cause abnormal cell changes in the anus and the penis.

No. HPV is a virus and there is no cure. The virus stays in the infected persons cells but may or may not cause symptoms. Warts may recur in some cases, but not always. If they recur, they show varying persistence. Some people experience just one more episode, and others several. The good news for most people is that with time, the immune system seems to gain some mastery over the virus, making recurrences less frequent and often eliminating them entirely within about two years.

Yes, the symptoms can be treated. If you think you have warts get checked right away. Treatments are easiest when started early. Treatment methods include:

• Acid Treatments
• Freezing with liquid nitrogen
• Laser for severe cases

Condoms provide only limited protection. The best way to prevent HPV infection is not to have sex. If you do decide to have sex, plan your sexual relationship carefully and responsibly. Have sex only with one person who will only have sex with you. At the very least, limit the number of sexual partners you have.

Call us at West Suburban Teen Clinic if you have any questions about HPV and genital warts, or any other subjects that affect teens and young adults. We are here to help.