Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral sexually transmitted disease (STD).

It is the most common STD in America.

Most types of HPV have no symptoms. Some types of HPV can cause warts in the genital area (penis, scrotum, groin, thigh, vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, and on the cervix) or the lining of the mouth and throat. Certain strains of HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix.

There is no medical cure. However, most infections cause no clinical problems and go away without treatment within 1-2 years.

Transmission/How it is Spread:

• There are over 100 strains of the virus. About 40 are spread through sexual contact.
  
  
• Spread through oral, anal, or vaginal sex, and intimate skin-to-skin contact.
  
  
• Rarely can be passed from mother to child during vaginal birth.
  
  

Complications:

• Warts on genitals caused by some types of HPV.
  
  
• Increased risk of cancer and pre-cancer of the cervix.
  
  
• Increased risk for cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus.
  
  

Prevention

• Abstain from sexual activity.
  
  
• Faithful marriage or mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
  
  
• Latex condoms, when used the right way all the time, can reduce the risk of spreading HPV. Because HPV can be in areas not covered by the condom, it is still possible to get HPV even when using a condom.
  
  
• HPV vaccine.
  
  
• Regular Pap tests are important to find any changes in the cervix that may in time lead to cancer. Follow-up and treatment after an abnormal Pap test helps prevent cervical cancer.
  
  

Treatment/Cure:

• No medical cure.
  
  
• Most infections cause no clinical problems and go away without treatment within 1-2 years.
  
  
• Warts treated with medicated ointment, laser treatment, or removed by freezing. Although warts can be removed, there is no medical cure for the infection. The virus can live in healthy appearing tissue and recurrences may happen.
  
  
• Changes that could lead to cancer of the cervix are monitored and treated to prevent cancer of the cervix.
  
  

More:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the US.

HPV is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. Over 40 of these are sexually transmitted, and can infect the genital area. Some viruses are considered "high-risk" types and increase the risk of abnormal Pap tests and cancer of the cervix, anus, and penis. Others are "low-risk," and can cause mild Pap smear abnormalities and genital warts. HPV increases the risk of getting and spreading HIV.

HPV is spread primarily through genital contact (oral, anal, vaginal, and intimate skin-to-skin contact). Most infected people are unaware they are infected, but they can spread the virus to a sex partner.

Most HPV infections have no symptoms and are no longer detectable after 1-2 years after infection. Infection with low-risk HPV types can cause genital warts. Genital warts are single or multiple growths or bumps that appear in the genital area or lining of the mouth and throat. They sometimes form a cauliflower-like shape.

High Risk HPV infection can lead to changes in the cervix which may be pre-cancer, but these can only be found by a health care provider doing a Pap test.

Rarely, a pregnant female can pass HPV to her baby during vaginal delivery. A baby who is exposed to HPV very rarely develops warts in the throat or on the voice box.

  Recently, research was published showing that condoms may provide some protection against HPV.⁴¹ Prior research, however, shows that condoms may not provide protection.⁴²

There is now a vaccine for HPV that helps to prevent cervical cancer and other types of diseases in females caused by certain types of genital HPV. The vaccine is for females ages 11 or 12, but can be given to females 9 to 26 years old. The ideal time to give the vaccine is before a female becomes sexually active.

There is no cure for HPV. Most mild infections can be destroyed by the body’s immune system over time. Persistent infection with high risk types of HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. Because HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix, regular pap testing and careful medical follow-up and treatment can help ensure that abnormal changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life-threatening cervical cancer. Most females who develop cervical cancer have not had regular pap testing.

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Last revised: August 19, 2009