HPV (human papillomavirus) is very common. About 80 percent of sexually active people contracting it at some point. 79 million people have an active HPV infection at any given time.
HPV infection manifests with skin and mucous membrane growths (warts). There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus exist, and some of them cause cervical cancers.
Different types of papillomavirus provoke warts on different parts of the body. For instance, certain types of papillomavirus contribute to the occurrence of plantar warts on the feet, and others can provoke warts that occur on the face or neck.
Most types of HPV don’t trigger cancer however certain types that cause genital warts can lead to cervical cancer. Fortunately, there are vaccines that can help protect from the oncogenic types of HPV.
Symptoms of HPV infection.
In most cases, the immune system dights an HPV infection before it causes warts but if warts appear, they look different. Their location and appearance depend on the type of HPV. There are four types of HPV warts:
Common warts. Common warts usually appear on the hands, fingers, or elbows. Common warts are harmless but sometimes they can be painful or sensitive to injury or bleeding.
Genital warts. Genital warts look like small cauliflower-like bumps or tiny stem-like protrusions. Genital warts rarely lead to discomfort or pain, but they might cause itching.
Flat warts. Flat warts can occur anywhere, but children usually have them on the face and men often have them in the beard area. Women often develop them on the legs.
Plantar warts. Plantar warts are hard growths that occur on the heels or balls of the feet.Risk factors for HPV.
Since most people have HPV, it’s important to know risk factors for the infection:
Age. Common warts occur mostly in kids, while genital warts tend to appear in adolescents and young adults.
The level of sexual activity. A large amount of sexual partners increases the risk of getting a genital HPV infection. Also, having sex with a person who has had many sex partners increases your risk as well.
Weakened immune system. People with a weakened immune system are at high risk of HPV infections. There are different reasons for low immune systems, for instance, HIV/AIDS, immune system-suppressing medications used after organ transplants, and most chronic conditions.
Personal contact. Touching warts or not wearing protection before contacting surfaces exposed to HPV like public showers or swimming pools might increase the risk of getting HPV infection.
Wounds and skin injuries. Wounds and skin injuries make you more susceptible to get infections including human papillomavirus.Diagnosis of HPV.
A specialist can recognize warts caused by HPV infection by looking at them. However, if genital warts are not noticeable, you can try one or more of these tests:
Pap test. Pap test is a procedure to test for abnormalities and cervical cancer in women. A doctor will collect a sample of cells from the cervix or vagina to send for laboratory analysis.
Vinegar solution test. Simply apply a vinegar solution to suspected genital areas, if they are HPV-infected they will turn white. This method can help identify unnoticeable flat lesions.
DNA test. A DNA test can recognize the DNA of the oncogenic types of human papillomavirus.Treatment of HPV infection.
In most cases, warts often go away on their own without any treatment, especially in children. Since it’s impossible to treat HPV completely, warts can reoccur in the same place or other places. Treatment of HPV infection can include medical options, surgery, and other procedures.
Medications to fight warts are usually topical. Some of them can contain salicylic and trichloroacetic acids to remove layers of a wart. Imiquimod is another topical option that is able to improve your immune system's ability to eliminate HPV. Podofilox (also called Condylox) works by destroying genital wart tissue.
Surgical and other procedures
If topical options don’t help, your doctor might recommend removing warts by cryotherapy, electrocautery, surgical removal, or laser surgery. Depending on the location of your warts, you might be referred to a dermatologist, podiatrist, or gynecologist/urologist.Complications of HPV
The most dangerous complication of HPV is cervical cancer. Oncogenic types of HPV might also lead to cancers of the genitals, anus, mouth, and upper respiratory tract.
Keep in mind that being vaccinated from HPV infection will protect you from cervical cancer. In fact, most cases of cervical cancer are provoked by types of HPV that usually don't cause warts, therefore women often don't know they’re infected. Also, the early stages of cervical cancer are usually symptomless. Over time, recurrent HPV can contribute to precancerous lesions. If left ignored, these lesions can turn into cancer.