According to MayoClinic.com, human papillomavirus, also known as HPV infections, have affected around 20 million people in the United States alone and there are more than 100 types of HPVs that can affect humans. These HPVs have the potential to cause warts, lesions and even cervical cancer. There are also types of HPV that do not cause symptoms, so they go undetected while still being transmitted from person to person. The Tech Talk newspaper of Louisiana Tech University notes that while HPV is incurable, visible signs can be controlled and sometimes treated if caught early.
Genital Warts
MSD Malaysia, a division of Merck, defines genital warts as flesh-colored growths that can appear as flat lesions or protrusions that are caused by certain kinds of HPVs, such as types 6 and 11. MayoClinic.com further states that these types of HPV do not cause cancer. These genital warts can be found in the external genitalia of both males and females, and even near the anal canal. They can also be found, albeit rarely, inside the cervix and vagina. These genital warts seldom cause pain, but they may be itchy at times.
Lesions
According to MayoClinic.com, HPV can also cause precancerous lesions due to cellular changes that some HPVs can trigger. HPV lesions are commonly found in the skin and mucus membranes of both men and women, and they can be diagnosed using Pap test, in which cells of the lesions are collected for laboratory evaluation. Low-grade lesions caused by HPV types 6 and 11 usually resolve on their own without treatment, as MayoClinic.com has emphasized. On the other hand, high-grade lesions caused by HPV types 16 and 18 might progress to cancer of the cervix, vulva or vagina. Aside from these, lesions may also appear in the upper respiratory tract, usually caused by low-risk HPV types.
Cancer
The most feared of all consequences of HPV is cancer, most especially cervical cancer in women. In fact, HPV is currently the most common cause of cervical cancer. According to National Cancer Institute, other HPVs can cause vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer in females, and penile and anal cancer in males.
The National Cancer Institute reports that cancer is a life-threatening condition, especially if not diagnosed early through a Pap test. The Institute further states that persistent HPV infection increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. MayoClinic.com reports that the most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding or warts.
