Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Comprehensive Guide to Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Prevention and Treatment

There are more than 30 types of human papillomavirus that affect the genitals. These include harmless, symptom-less forms of HPV, such as those causing genital warts. High-risk types of HPV may eventually progress to cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV and regular Pap smears are among the precautionary measures one can take against cervical cancer.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

This is a viral infection passed from person to person via skin-to-skin contact. More than 100 types of HPV exist, but only 40 are sexually transmitted and affect the mouth, throat, or genitals.

It's very common that most sexually active people will contract some variety of it at some point, even if they have few sexual partners.

Some genital HPV infections do not cause any health problems; however, certain types have been linked to causing genital warts and cancers of the cervix, anus, and throat.

Causes of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The HPV infection is transmitted by the virus known to cause it when a person comes into contact with the skin of an individual who has the virus. Most people with genital HPV infection acquire the virus through direct sexual contact, which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

With HPV being a skin-to-skin infection, one really does not even require intercourse to transmit the virus to another person.

A lot of people have the virus and are not even aware of it. This can result in you getting the infection while your partner does not show some particular symptoms. It's quite possible to have many types of HPV.
Infection of the newborn from the mother with the human papillomavirus is sometimes reported. In this way, the child develops recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in which a child grows a human papillomavirus-related wart in their throat or the airways.

Symptoms of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV in men

• Most men with HPV infection don't have any symptoms; however, some develop genital warts. Be sure to see the doctor if you notice any unusual bumps or sores on your penis, scrotum, or anus. 
• Certain types of HPV are associated with cancers of the penis, anus, as well as the back of the throat in both men and women. There are other HPV–related cancers that only affect women. Men who are at increased rates of developing HPV-related cancer include; men who have receptive anal sex with their partner, men with low immunity, men who smoke, and in general, men having multiple sexual partners.
• The types of HPV which cause genital warts are not the same types which cause cancer.

HPV in women

• It is predicted that 80 per cent of women will get an HPV type at some time in their life. As with men, many women who do get HPV get no symptoms, and the infection clears up naturally without causing any health problems.
• Some women may feel that they have genital warts, which would be in the vagina, in and around the anus, cervix, or the vulva.
• Detecting any lumps or growths, make an appointment with your doctor if you find any within or around your genital area.
• Some types of HPV can cause cervical cancer or other cancers of the vagina, anus, or oropharynx. 
• Some pre-cancers of the cervix can be found with regular screening, and treating these can prevent them from turning into true cancers. Tests can also detect cervical cells that have social factors and lifestyles that can increase the risk of developing genital cancers.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Treatment

There is no present cure that can cleanse the body of the virus. But, treatments are done that way for the physical removal of any warts found in the genital area or unusual cells in your cervix. These treatment measures include:

• Cryosurgery: This involves the salting of warts or the freezing of unusual cells with liquid nitrogen to kill them.
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure or LEEP: This procedure requires the use of a particular wire loop that will take out web-like warts or odd cells from the cervix.
• Electrocautery: The abnormal growth of warts can be rapidly burnt away by applying an electrical current to the tissue.
• Laser treatment: A strong light is used to destroy warts or any abnormal cells.
• Coldknife cone biopsy (Conization): A cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue containing abnormal cells is removed.
• Prescribed cream: Medicated cream can be applied to the warts. The cream destroys the warts. 
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA): Again, it involves the application of a chemical treatment. It burns off warts.

Only a few people infected with high-risk HPV develop abnormal cervical cells that need treatment.

Prevention

To decrease the risk of contracting HPV, a person can:

• Get the HPV vaccine
• Reduce the number of sexual partners
• Use barrier protection for every sexual activity
• Avoid sexual activity until genital warts have disappeared.

To reduce the transmission of the warts:

• Do not scratch the wart unnecessarily,
• Maintain good hand hygiene after handling a wart.
• Do not shave over a wart.
• Keep warts on the foot covered with footwear in a shared public space, such as a pool or locker room.
• Desires that a wart be treated and covered so that it goes away.
• Do not share towels or any other personal items.

Conclusion

The Human papillomavirus infects cells in human beings. This is mainly through having sexual intercourse. Warts are the most common symptoms, but some types of cancer also occur from the infection. Vaccines can be used to help prevent this infection.