HPV Symptoms

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) refers to a group of viruses that affect different parts of the skin. Out of the several strains, around 30 are known to cause genital warts. Skin warts and genital warts are generally caused by viruses that are classified as low risk, but there are certain strains which can lead to serious medical conditions such as cervical cancer, cervical and vaginal dysplasia in women and penile cancer or anal cancer in men. Scroll down to find HPV symptoms along with the treatment options.

Causes and Symptoms of HPV Infection

This virus is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. It can enter your body on coming in contact with an infected person. Having a weak immune system also puts one at an increased risk of contracting this infection. Development of common warts or flat warts on various parts of the body is one of the most common symptoms of low-risk HPV. Oral and upper respiratory lesions can also be caused by these viruses. Oral HPV is often characterized by warts and lesions on the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, larynx and the nose. These lesions could be caused due to low risk HPV 6 and 11, or high risk HPV 16 and 18.

As mentioned earlier, certain strains are responsible for causing genital warts. Genital warts in men and women are most likely to be caused by HPV types 6 and 11. This viral infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Men and women who are sexually active are vulnerable to this infection. Such infections are contracted when one has sexual intercourse with a person infected with this virus. Thus having vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex with an infected person makes you very vulnerable. Having multiple sexual partners or indulging in unprotected sex also makes one highly prone to contracting this infection.

Genital HPV is characterized by flat lesions or cauliflower-shaped warts along with itching, bleeding and discharge. In case of women, this virus can cause warts in the vagina, vulva or cervix, whereas in men, these warts appear on the tip of penis, scrotum, groin and the inner thigh. These genital warts are generally caused by viruses that are classified as low risk are different from the strains that cause cervical cancer in women or penile cancer in men. These viruses could also cause recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, cervical or vaginal dysplasia in women. The viruses that are classified as high risk could also cause anal cancer and penile cancer in men.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The infections that may be caused by this virus in women can be detected with the help of a pap smear test. Pap smear test is used to determine if a woman is suffering from cervix cancer. If abnormalities are detected in the Pap smear, another test is conducted to ascertain the presence and type of human papillomavirus. If the HPV test is positive, a colposcopy test is conducted for examining the cervix, vagina and vulva. In case of men, doctors mainly rely on the examination of warts. Topical application of a cream called Aldara is used for treating men diagnosed with HPV infection. Creams or acid medicines might also be prescribed for treating women diagnosed with such infections. If these medicines don't help in removing the warts, surgery is recommended. Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), cryosurgery, electrocautery or laser treatments are generally recommended for the removal of small warts.

Vaccines called Gardasil and Cervarix are used as a preventive step for protecting women against 4 types of HPV. Gardasil can be administered for those in the age group of 11 to 26. Cervarix is another vaccine that prevents one from getting infected by HPV type 16 and 18. Since this is a sexually transmitted disease, sexually active people are at an increased risk of contracting this infection. The best way to prevent the transmission of viruses that are classified as high risk HPV is by taking certain precautionary measures. Indulging in safe sex and avoiding multiple partners will surely lower the risk of you getting infected.

Now that you know that an HPV infection puts men and women at an increased risk of developing serious medical conditions, make sure that you take all preventive measures. If you experience any symptoms associated with this infection, consult a doctor soon. Since a weak immune system also makes one more vulnerable, therefore efforts must be made to boost the immune system.