HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses that can be spread through sexual contact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 50 percent of sexually active individuals get HPV during their lifetime, but the vast majority show no symptoms of disease, which clears up on its own. HPV is a health concern, as it causes genital warts and cervical cancer. The virus may be present in the body, but symptoms may take weeks or up to a year to show up.
Types
The HPV virus may be low or high risk. Low-risk HPV viruses may cause warts on the genitals and anus in both men and women. The warts take the shape of cauliflower, but do not grow cancerous. High-risk HPV viruses increase the risk for genital and anal cancer in men and women.
Symptoms
Genital HPV has no symptoms, and most people don't know that they are infected. Warts may be the only symptom to indicate infection and may be found in or around the urethra and anus. Other locations where warts may be found are the mouth, lips, tongue and throat, according to Rutgers University.
Diagnosis
The most common method to diagnose HPV is a Papanicolau test, or pap test. The doctor uses a small brush to take cells out of the cervix and observes them under a microscope, looking for abnormalities. Pap tests should be done every two years at age 21, while women over the age of 30 who have had three normal tests may be tested every three years, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If the doctor observes any abnormalities in the cells, an HPV test is done. The HPV test is DNA test that detects the presence of high-risk viruses that are precursors to cervical cancer.
Other diagnostic tests may also be used, such as colposcopy, where a device is used to closely observe the cervix. A Schiller test involves coating the cervix with iodine to observe healthy and abnormal cells. In a biopsy, a piece of cervical tissue is observed under a microscope for abnormalities.
Treatment
The HPV virus is not treatable, but the changes to the cervix are usually treated. Treatments include cryosurgery, which entails freezing the abnormal tissue with liquid nitrogen and removing it. Laser treatment involves using light to kill abnormal cells, and the loop electrosurgical excision procedure uses a hot wire to remove abnormal tissue. In a cone biopsy, cone-shaped sections of tissue and are removed and observed under the microscope for abnormality.
Warts are treated in a similar fashion to the cervix. They are removed by laser, freezing or burning them off with an electric current, or simply by cutting them out.
Prevention
Even though HPV cannot be prevented, one can lower the risk of cervical cancer. The two vaccines available are Gardasil and Cervarix, which prevent the two virus types responsible for 70 percent of all cervical cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Gardasil also protects against the two virus types responsible for 90 percent of all genital warts. Regular pap tests are also important preventative methods.
Considerations
Smoking should be avoided, as this increases one's risk of cancer. Being faithful to one partner decreases risk of viral transmission. Condoms should be used for all types of sex to reduce risk of HPV transmission.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: STD Facts: Human Papillomavirus
- American Cancer Society: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Cancer, HPV Vaccines - Frequently Asked Questions
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women's Health: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Genital Warts
- Rutgers University New Brunswick/Piscataway Campus: HPV
