HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that spreads from person to person via skin-to-skin contact. There are over 100 different types of HPV, more than 40 of which are transmitted through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth, or throat.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source (STI).

It’s so common that even if they only have a few sexual partners, most sexually active people will experience some variation of it at some point.

Some cases of genital HPV infection may not result in any health complications. Some types of HPV, on the other hand, can cause genital warts and even cancers of the cervix, anus, and throat.

Human Papillomavirus

HPV infection is a viral infection that commonly causes growths on the skin or mucous membranes (warts). There are over 100 different types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV infection cause warts, while others can lead to various types of cancer.

Most HPV infections do not result in cancer. However, certain types of genital HPV can cause cancer in the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina (cervix). Cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and back of the throat (oropharyngeal) have also been linked to HPV infection.

These infections are frequently transmitted through sexual contact or other forms of skin-to-skin contact. Vaccines can provide some protection against the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer.

HPV causes

Skin-to-skin contact is how the virus that causes HPV infection spreads. The majority of people contract genital HPV through direct sexual contact, which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Intercourse is not required for HPV transmission because it is a skin-to-skin infection.

Many people have HPV and are unaware of it, which means you can still contract it even if your partner is asymptomatic. It is also possible to have multiple HPV types.

In rare cases, an HPV-positive mother can pass the virus to her baby during delivery. When this happens, the child may develop recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a condition in which they develop HPV-related warts inside their throat or airways.

HPV symptoms

Often, HPV infection has no discernible symptoms or health consequences.

According to the CDC, 90 percent of HPV infections (9 out of 10) resolve on their own within two years. However, because the virus is still present in the body at this time, the person may unknowingly transmit HPV.

When a virus does not clear up on its own, it can cause serious health issues. These include genital warts and throat warts (known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis).

Cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the genital tract, head, neck, and throat, can be caused by HPV.

The type of HPV that causes warts are not the same as those that cause cancer. As a result, having genital warts caused by HPV does not guarantee that you will develop cancer.

Cancers caused by HPV frequently do not exhibit symptoms until the cancer has progressed to a later stage of growth. Regular screenings can aid in the earlier detection of HPV-related health issues. This can improve the outlook and increase the likelihood of survival.

HPV in men

Many men who become infected with HPV have no symptoms, though some may develop genital warts. If you notice any unusual bumps or lesions on your penis, scrotum, or anus, consult your doctor.

Some HPV strains have been linked to penile, anal, and throat cancer in men. Men who have anal sex and men with a weakened immune system may be at a higher risk of developing HPV-related cancers.

The HPV strains that cause genital warts are not the same as the strains that cause cancer. 

HPV in women

It is estimated that 80 percent of women will be infected with at least one type of HPV during their lifetime. Like men, many women who contract HPV have no symptoms, and the infection resolves without causing any health problems.

Some women may notice genital warts that appear inside the vagina, in or around the anus, and on the cervix or vulva.

If you notice any unexplained bumps or growths in or around your genital area, consult your doctor.

Some HPV strains can cause cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the vagina, anus, and throat. Women can benefit from regular screening to detect changes associated with cervical cancer. Furthermore, DNA tests on cervical cells can detect HPV strains linked to genital cancers.

HPV treatments

Because most HPV infections resolve on their own, there is no treatment for the infection itself. Instead, your doctor will most likely want you to return in a year to see if the HPV infection has persisted and if any cell changes have developed that require further investigation.

Prescription medications, electrical current burning, or liquid nitrogen freezing can all be used to treat genital warts. However, removing the physical warts does not treat the virus, and the warts may reappear.

Precancerous cells can be removed during a brief procedure at your doctor’s office. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery may be used to treat cancers caused by HPV. Multiple methods may be used at times.

There are currently no medically supported natural treatments for HPV infection.

Routine HPV and cervical cancer screening is critical for identifying, monitoring, and treating health problems that may arise as a result of HPV infection. Investigate HPV treatment options.

Risk factors

HPV infections of the risk factors includes:

Number of sexual partners

The more sexual partners you have, the more likely it is that you will develop a genital HPV infection. Having sex with a partner who has previously had multiple sex partners raises your risk.

Age

Common warts are the most common in children. Adolescents and young adults are the most likely to develop genital warts.

Weakened immune systems

People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to HPV infections. HIV/AIDS can weaken immune systems, as can immune-suppressing drugs used after organ transplants.

Damaged skin

Common warts are more likely to develop in areas of skin that have been punctured or opened.

Personal contact

Touching someone’s warts or not wearing protection before coming into contact with HPV-infected surfaces, such as public showers or swimming pools, may increase your risk of infection.

Complications

Oral and upper respiratory lesions

Some HPV infections result in lesions on your tongue, tonsils, soft palate, larynx, and nose.

Cancer

Cervical cancer can be caused by certain strains of HPV. These strains may also contribute to genital, anus, mouth, and upper respiratory tract cancers.

Prevention

Common warts

HPV infections, which cause common warts, are difficult to prevent. If you have a common wart, you can prevent the infection from spreading and the formation of new warts by not picking at it or biting your nails.

Plantar warts

Wear shoes or sandals in public pools and locker rooms to reduce the risk of contracting HPV infections that cause plantar warts.

Genital warts

You can lower your risk of developing genital warts and other HPV-related genital lesions by doing the following:

• Being in a sexual relationship that is mutually monogamous
• Reducing the number of sex partners you have
• Using a latex condom can lower your risk of HPV transmission.

HPV vaccines

Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration that can be used to protect against cervical cancer and genital warts in both men and women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 12, though it can be administered as early as age 9. It is preferable for both girls and boys to receive the vaccine before engaging in sexual activity and becoming infected with HPV. According to research, receiving the vaccine at a young age is not associated with an earlier start of sexual activity.

If a person is infected with HPV, the vaccine may be less effective or may not work at all. In addition, younger children respond better to the vaccine than older children. However, if administered prior to infection, the vaccine can prevent the majority of cases of cervical cancer.

All 11- and 12-year-olds should receive two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart, according to the CDC. Younger adolescents (ages 9 and 10) and teenagers (ages 13 and 14) can also be immunised using the updated two-dose schedule. According to research, the two-dose schedule is effective for children under the age of 15.

Conclusion

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that spreads from person to person via skin-to-skin contact. There are over 100 different types of HPV, more than 40 of which are transmitted through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth, or throat. Most HPV infections do not result in cancer. However, certain types of genital HPV can cause cancer in the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina (cervix). Cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and back of the throat (oropharyngeal) have also been linked to HPV infection. Skin-to-skin contact is how the virus that causes HPV infection spreads. The majority of people contract genital HPV through direct sexual contact, which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Many men who become infected with HPV have no symptoms, though some may develop genital warts. If you notice any unusual bumps or lesions on your penis, scrotum, or anus, consult your doctor. It is estimated that 80 percent of women will be infected with at least one type of HPV during their lifetime. Like men, many women who contract HPV have no symptoms, and the infection resolves without causing any health problems. The more sexual partners you have, the more likely it is that you will develop a genital HPV infection. Having sex with a partner who has previously had multiple sex partners raises your risk.