The Human papillomavirus or the HPV infection is a viral infection that is passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. The varieties of HPV are more than hundred in which 40 of them are passed through sexual contact which affects the genitals, mouth or throat. Human papillomavirus is the most commonly seen sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women.
This infection occurs when a virus enters the body through a cut, abrasion or small tear in the skin. This viral infection can also be transmitted sexually and in rare cases from an infected mother to her child during delivery.
- Skin or mucous membrane growths (warts).
- Warts can appear on genitals. For women, it can appear on the vulva, near to anus on the cervix or in the vagina. In men, it can appear on the penis and scrotum or around the anus
- Warts rarely cause discomfort or pain. However, it will be itchy
- Common warts can appear on hands, fingers or elbows and can be painful or susceptible to injury or bleeding. Other types of warts include plantar warts which occur on the balls of your feet and flat warts which is usually seen on the face on children and beard area for adults
What are the risk factors:
- Cervical cancer: If you are vaccinated against HPV infection, the vaccines will protect you from cervical cancer. Most of the cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV strains that usually does not cause warts. Hence the early stages of this cancer do not have any signs or symptoms. It is important for women to go through regular Pap tests which can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. This virus can also cause cancer in genitals, anus, mouth and upper respiratory tract
- Oral and upper respiratory lesions: HPV infections can also cause lesions on the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, or within your larynx and nose.
When to consult a doctor
Warts which cause discomfort, pain and itches, needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
HPV infection usually goes away on their own. However, your doctor might ask you to visit him every six months for a test to see if the infection persists. It is also important to understand that getting rid of physical warts doesn’t treat the virus itself, and the warts are likely to return. For HPV related issues like cancer, the treatment will be targeted towards the specific issue.