Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that can be spread from one person to another through intimate skin-to-skin contact. There are more than 100 varieties of HPV, over 40 of which are passed through sexual contact and can infect the genital areas of both men and women. Different types of HPV infection affect the body in different ways.
What is HPV?
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a group of more than 150 related viruses, over 40 of which can be passed on through sexual contact. HPV infects the skin and moist membranes lining the body, such as the mouth, throat, tongue, tonsils, vagina, cervix, vulva, penis, and anus. Different types of HPV can cause warts on different parts of the body.
Genital HPV is very common – around 80% of sexually active people will get a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. In most cases the infection clears up by itself and doesn’t cause any symptoms. But sometimes it can lead to genital warts or cancer.
How is HPV spread?
HPV is passed on through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It usually spreads easily between partners. Using condoms reduces the risk but doesn’t eliminate it completely.
You can also get some types of genital HPV by skin-to-skin genital contact. And a mother can pass HPV to her baby during birth.
HPV can lie dormant for many years, so a person could still pass the infection on even if they had it a long time ago.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
Most people with HPV have no symptoms at all. When HPV does cause symptoms, it usually only causes minor ones like itching and discomfort. The most common HPV symptoms are:
- Genital warts – small, flat, cauliflower-like bumps in the genital area. They can appear within weeks or months after sexual contact with an HPV carrier.
- Cervical cell changes – abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Usually there are no symptoms but they may be detected by a Pap smear.
- Vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile cell changes – abnormal cells detected through biopsy of these areas.
- Throat and mouth cancer – usually no early symptoms but can cause a sore throat and abnormal cells detected by biopsy.
What health problems can HPV cause?
In most cases, HPV goes away on its own within 1-2 years and doesn’t cause health problems. But sometimes, certain high-risk types of HPV can lead to serious health issues:
| Type of Problem | HPV Types | Who is most at risk |
|---|---|---|
| Genital warts | Types 6, 11 | Men and women |
| Cervical cancer | Types 16, 18 | Women |
| Anal cancer | Types 16, 18 | Men who have sex with men |
| Penile cancer | Types 16, 18 | Men |
| Vulvar/vaginal cancer | Types 16, 18 | Women |
| Throat/mouth cancer | Type 16 | Men |
Of the 40 strains spread through sexual contact, types 16 and 18 are responsible for 70% of all cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions. High-risk HPV types are also linked to cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus.
Who is at risk for HPV?
Anyone who has ever had genital-to-genital contact with another person is at risk for HPV. Specific factors that increase risk include:
- Having unprotected sex
- Having many sexual partners
- Having sex at an early age
- Having a sexual partner who has had multiple partners
- Having a weakened immune system
- Smoking cigarettes
HPV is so common that the majority of sexually active men and women get it at some point. However, most never have any symptoms and the infection clears on its own.
How is HPV diagnosed?
There is no general test to diagnose all types of HPV. But there are tests to detect problems associated with high-risk genital HPV such as:
- Pap smear: Screens for precancerous changes in cervical cells that may indicate HPV infection.
- HPV DNA test: Looks for the genetic material (DNA) of high-risk HPV strains in cervical cells.
- Biopsy: Takes a small sample of tissue to examine under a microscope. This can diagnose HPV-related precancer and cancer.
- Visual inspection: Doctors can sometimes diagnose genital warts, oral warts, or abnormal areas on the cervix just by looking at them.
A positive HPV test result doesn’t tell you which partner transmitted it or when it was transmitted. There is no HPV test for men.
How can HPV infection be prevented?
The most reliable ways to avoid HPV are:
- Get vaccinated – the HPV vaccine protects against the types most likely to cause cancer and warts.
- Use condoms – condoms reduce but don’t eliminate the risk of catching HPV.
- Limit sexual partners – fewer partners means lower exposure risk.
- Don’t smoke – smoking weakens the immune system.
To specifically lower the chances of developing HPV-related cancers, women should get regular Pap smears to screen for precancerous cervical changes.
How is HPV treated?
There is no treatment for the virus itself – in most people, the infection goes away on its own. However, treatments are available for the health problems caused by HPV:
- Genital warts: Can be treated with prescription creams, freezing, surgical removal, or laser therapy.
- Cervical cell changes: Can be monitored, treated with cryotherapy or laser therapy, or removed surgically.
- Cancers: Are treated through chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or a combination.
Even after treatment, HPV can sometimes persist and health problems may recur. Regular follow-up with your doctor is important.
Should I get the HPV vaccine?
HPV vaccination is recommended for girls and boys starting at ages 11-12, but it can be given from age 9 through 26. The vaccine protects against infection with the HPV types that cause cancer and warts. It is most effective when given before any exposure to HPV. Three doses are given over 6 months. The vaccine does not get rid of existing HPV infections.
The vaccine is safe with minimal side effects. The most common side effects, if they occur, are mild like pain and redness in the arm. Since its introduction over a decade ago, over 270 million doses have been distributed worldwide with no serious safety concerns.
Conclusion
HPV is an extremely common virus transmitted through intimate skin contact. In most cases, it causes no symptoms and resolves on its own. But certain high-risk HPV types can lead to genital warts, precancerous lesions, and cancers in men and women. Vaccines that protect against cancer-causing HPV strains are recommended for pre-teens and young adults. Using barrier protection during sex offers partial protection against HPV infection. With proper screening and follow-up, HPV-related health issues can be detected early and treated effectively.