Human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer.
What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a virus. It is estimated that 79 million people in the United States have HPV and doctors diagnose around 14 million new cases each year. There are different types of HPV, some of which can increase the risk of cancer.
Symptoms of HPV
Symptoms of HPV may appear weeks or months after the initial infection. Some types of the virus can cause warts to form. These warts can range in size and appearance and they may be large or small, flat or cauliflower-shaped, white, pink, red, purplish, brown or skin-colored. They can form on the vulva, cervix, penis or scrotum, anus or growing area. These warts can cause itching, burning and other discomfort. Other types of HPV can also cause common warts, plantar warts and flat warts. Common warts are rough, raised bumps that tend to form on the hands, fingers and elbows. Plantar warts are grainy growths that often form on the feet, usually on the heels or balls of the feet. Flat warts are small, flat-topped, slightly raised lesions that are darker than the surrounding skin and often appear on the face or neck.
How HPV Can Lead to Cancer
Most people with HPV do not develop cancer, but the infection can increase the risk, especially in people with weakened immune systems. HPV can cause cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer.
Preventing HPV
Vaccines can help prevent infection in the United States. Vaccines are available for both males and females and it is recommended that all children receive the vaccine to help prevent HPV-related cancers in the future.
What is Human Papillomavirus?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a high risk strain of virus that can change the way cells communicate with each other, leading to uncontrolled growth and, in some cases, cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute in the United States, around 3 percent of all cancers in females and 2 percent of all cancers in males stem from HPV.
How is HPV Transmitted?
HPV is a virus that transmits through skin to skin contact, often sexual contact. The infection can develop in anyone who is sexually active. There may be no symptoms or the symptoms may appear and disappear. HPV can pulse from person to person, regardless of whether symptoms are present. The strains of HPV that cause warts are different from those that increase the risk of cancer. HPV can also transmit to an infant during birth.
What are the Symptoms of HPV?
There may be no symptoms or the symptoms may appear and disappear. Common symptoms of HPV include genital warts, itching, burning, and pain in the genital area.
What are the Long-Term Effects of HPV?
If the immune system is unable to defeat the unwanted cells, they can stay in the body and continue to grow in time. This can lead to cancer. It may take 10 to 20 years for a tumor to develop. HPV increases the risk of developing cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, oropharynx, including the base of the tongue and the tonsils.
How is HPV Diagnosed and Treated?
Screening can lead to an early diagnosis and receiving prompt treatment can prevent the cancer from spreading. The best course of treatment will depend on the type of cancer, its stage, and the age and overall health of the person.
Low Risk of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Infants
Research suggests that the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in infants is relatively low, as the immune system usually takes care of the infection. Signs of HPV infection in an infant may include genital warts or lesions in the mouth.
Child Sexual Abuse Risk Factors
If a young child develops HPV symptoms, it may indicate child sexual abuse risk factors. Factors that increase the risk of HPV include:
Having several sexual partners
Having sex with someone who has had several sexual partners
Having sex without using barrier protection such as a condom or dental dam
Having contact with warts or surfaces
Not having the HPV vaccination
Having a weakened immune system
Having treatments for a weakened immune system
Delivering their first baby at a young age
Having given birth to many children
Smoking tobacco products
The risk of cancer is higher if a person has HPV, as well as other sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia.
No Cure for HPV
There is no way to cure HPV and remove the virus from the body. However, a person can take various steps to remove the warts that HPV can cause. It is also worth noting that these warts often go away without treatment. Common warts can be treated with over-the-counter salicylic acid products, but do not use these products on warts in the genital area. Surgical intervention may be necessary. Genital warts should not be treated with over-the-counter products. A doctor may recommend cryotherapy.
Liquid Nitrogen to Freeze Off Warts
Liquid nitrogen is a method used to freeze off warts. It involves using an electrical current to burn away the wart. This method is quick and effective, but it can be painful.
Laser or Light Therapy
Laser or light therapy is another method used to remove warts. This involves using a high powered targeted beam to remove the unwanted tissue. This method is also quick and effective, but it can be expensive.
Surgical Removal
Surgical removal is a more invasive method of removing warts. A surgeon can cut away warts in an outpatient procedure that involves a local anesthetic. This method is more effective than the other methods, but it is also more expensive and time consuming.
Prevention
Treatments can remove warts, but the virus will remain in the body and remain transmissible. To reduce the risk of contracting human papillomavirus, people should use barrier protection every time they have sex, limit the number of sexual partners, not have sex while genital warts are present, avoid touching the wart unnecessarily, wash hands after touching a wart, avoid shaving over a wart, use footwear in public areas such as pools and locker rooms, treat and cover a wart until it disappears, and avoid sharing towels and other personal items.
Vaccination
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccination at the age of 11 to 12 years to reduce the risk of cervical and other forms of cancer. This type of vaccine comes in two stages: 6 to 12 months apart. People aged up to 26 years who have not received the vaccine should ask their doctors about it.
There are several methods available for removing warts, and the best option will depend upon the type and location of the wart. In addition to treatments, people should also take preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting human papillomavirus. Vaccination is also recommended for people aged 11 to 12 years and those up to 26 years who have not received the vaccine. It is important to speak with a doctor to see whether vaccination is appropriate.
