HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS
WHAT IS THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS?
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the infection responsible for several diseases. These diseases include common warts, genital warts, and genital cancers. HPV is the most common STD in the US. It is also the cause of nearly all cervical and penile cancers and is responsible for some anal, throat, and mouth cancers. Some of the highest infection rates for HPV are among college students. With over 100 strains, HPV can cause different types of infections. A person can be infected with more than one strain at a time.
80% of sexually active people will become infected with HPV by age 50
HOW DO YOU GET HPV?
It is usually spread through sexual contact, including oral sex.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HPV?
Most people do not have any visible symptoms. The types of HPV that cause cervical cancer have no visible symptoms. The types that cause warts can cause a small bump to a large wart-like growth. On men the warts are on the penis and usually involve the urethra. On women the warts may be on the labia, vulva, the area between the vagina and rectum, or even on the cervix.
HOW IS HPV DIAGNOSED?
It is diagnosed when there are visual symptoms, through a routine pap smear, or through a special test that detects the different strains of HPV.
HOW IS HPV TREATED?
A person immune system usually fights and clears the virus on its own without any treatment prior to any symptoms appearing. If symptoms have occurred the warts are treated with freezing, burning, or laser treatment to remove/reduce the number of warts. Cervical abnormalities and cancerous/precancerous symptoms are treated the same way or through surgery. HPV may still be present after treatment and appropriate precautions should be taken.
HPV VACCINATIONS
There are currently two HPV vaccines available men ages 9 to 26 and women ages 10 to 25. It is ideally given prior to the person becoming sexually active.