HPV or Human Papilloma Virus is a group of more than
100 viruses of which over 30 strains can be passed
from one person to another through sexual contact.
Some types of HPV cause
genital warts – those single or multiple
bumps that appear in the genitalia of both men and
women including the vagina, cervix, vulva, penis,
and rectum. These are mostly considered to be low-risk
strains. The high risk strains of Human Papilloma
Virus may go on to cause cancer of the cervix, vulva,
vagina, anus and penis. However an HPV vaccine has
recently been released to protect those who are HPV
free.
What causes HPV?
You will probably know that HPV is a sexually transmitted
disease and also that it is very contagious. HPV is
among the most common STDs in the world and is usually
spread by skin-to-skin contact during oral, vaginal
or anal sex with someone who has HPV. However, the
concern is that millions of people carry this virus
without it ever developing into genital warts.
The following factors put you at higher risk for
getting Human Papilloma Virus, genital warts and other
complications of HPV:
o Starting to be sexually active at an early age
o Not knowing if your sexual partner has HPV or other
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
o Multiple sexual partners
o Tobacco and alcohol use
o Suffering from stress plus any other viral infections
at the same time such as HIV or herpes.
What are the signs and symptoms of HPV?
o Female genital warts can appear both internally
and externally on the vagina as well as on the opening
to the cervix or around the anal area.
o Male genital warts, though less common, can appear
on the shaft or the head of the penis, on the scrotum
and around the anal area.
o In rare cases, genital warts transmission can take
place and the STD can also develop in the mouth or
throat if you have oral sex with an infected person.
However, HPV infections will often be present without
any visible signs or symptoms. Studies have suggested
that nearly 50% of women with the HPV infection have
no genital
warts symptoms or signs.
How is HPV diagnosed?
If you have genital warts, whether external or internal,
it is easy for your medical practitioner to make a
diagnosis.
In women, an Human Papilloma Virus infection can
be diagnosed from the results of an abnormal Pap smear.
However, there is no test yet available to diagnose
an HPV infection in men if they have no genital warts.
How is HPV treated?
Unfortunately the HPV itself cannot be treated, and
there is no genital
warts cure. But there are several different treatments
available for genital warts which can get
rid of the warts. The warts can return after treatment
because the HPV is present in your body.
How can HPV be prevented?
The good news is that vaccines have recently been
released which are highly effective in preventing
infection with two high risk strains of HPV (that
cause most of the cervical cancers) as well as two
types which cause almost all genital warts. Gardasil
has been registered to use in girls and women aged
9 to 26 to protect them, while boys aged 9 to 17 can
also be vaccinated. A further vaccination Cervarix
is registered to be administered to females aged 10
to 55.
Studies show that the ideal time to vaccinate against
HPV strains is before children become exposed to the
HPV and of course prior to sexual activity. Three
single injections of the vaccine over a 6 month period
are needed to provide this protection.
Some protection will be afforded by properly using
a latex condom every time you have any form of sexual
intercourse. However, condoms may not give complete
protection because the virus can spread from the areas
of the genitalia not covered by the condom.
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to our Genital Warts Treatment page
