WHAT IS HPV INFECTION? SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Infection is the most common
sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. Up to 80 percent of sexually active adults will get an HPV infection of the genital area at some point in their lives.
Most people get HPV through direct sex contact or oral sex. Non-sexual transmission of the virus is also possible.
Researchers found that the virus is resistant to glutaraldehyde which means that medical instruments that are considered sterile may also serve as medium for HPV transmission ( 1 ).
HPV INFECTION – SYMPTOMS
While most people don’t have symptoms from HPV, some will develop warts, or papillomas.
Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps. They appear mostly on the vulva but can also occur near the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina. In men, genital warts appear on the penis and scrotum or around the anus ( 2 ).
They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.
Many people who get genital HPV will clear it without treatment and no health problems will occur. The longer the virus is in the body, however, the higher your risk of developing health problems.
According to the CDC, HPV infection can cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. Anal cancer can also be caused by HPV in both men and women.
HPV is particularly linked with cervical cancer . In fact, it is the only known cause of cervical cancer in women.
TESTING FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION
Regular Pap tests help to identify abnormal cells in women. The main purpose of screening with the Pap test is to detect abnormal cells that may develop into cancer if left untreated.
The Pap test can also find noncancerous conditions, such as infections and inflammation. It can also find cancer cells. In regularly screened populations, however, the Pap test identifies most abnormal cells before they become cancer.
Important: If you or your child has warts of any kind that cause embarrassment, discomfort or pain, seek advice from your doctor.
sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. Up to 80 percent of sexually active adults will get an HPV infection of the genital area at some point in their lives.
Most people get HPV through direct sex contact or oral sex. Non-sexual transmission of the virus is also possible.
Researchers found that the virus is resistant to glutaraldehyde which means that medical instruments that are considered sterile may also serve as medium for HPV transmission ( 1 ).
HPV INFECTION – SYMPTOMS
While most people don’t have symptoms from HPV, some will develop warts, or papillomas.
Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps. They appear mostly on the vulva but can also occur near the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina. In men, genital warts appear on the penis and scrotum or around the anus ( 2 ).
They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.
Many people who get genital HPV will clear it without treatment and no health problems will occur. The longer the virus is in the body, however, the higher your risk of developing health problems.
According to the CDC, HPV infection can cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. Anal cancer can also be caused by HPV in both men and women.
HPV is particularly linked with cervical cancer . In fact, it is the only known cause of cervical cancer in women.
TESTING FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION
Regular Pap tests help to identify abnormal cells in women. The main purpose of screening with the Pap test is to detect abnormal cells that may develop into cancer if left untreated.
The Pap test can also find noncancerous conditions, such as infections and inflammation. It can also find cancer cells. In regularly screened populations, however, the Pap test identifies most abnormal cells before they become cancer.
Important: If you or your child has warts of any kind that cause embarrassment, discomfort or pain, seek advice from your doctor.
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