Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection; the Mayo Clinic estimates that 20 million Americans are infected with the disease. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that HPV is so prevalent that 50 percent of sexually active men and women contract it at some point in their lives. While most people do not experience symptoms or complications from HPV, there is the risk of complications such as genital warts, cervical cancer, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), and problems during pregnancy.
Genital Warts
Only a few of the more than 100 different types of HPV cause genital warts. The types of HPV responsible for genital warts are highly contagious and spread through sexual contact. According to the Mayo Clinic, genital warts often have no symptoms and 30 percent of cases will go away on their own; however, they may also cause painful itching and burning in the genital area. They may appear on the genitals as clusters of small, flesh-colored bumps or have the appearance of small cauliflower. The warts caused by HPV are treatable with medication; surgery may be required to remove larger warts.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of HPV; the Mayo Clinic reports most cases occur in women over 30. Normally, healthy immune systems are able to fend off HPV. However, in a small percentage of women, HPV can remain dormant for years, eventually changing healthy cells in the cervix to cancerous cells. Cervical cancer does not typically demonstrate any symptoms until the disease is at an advanced stage. Early screenings with annual Pap tests have dramatically reduced cervical cancer deaths. Most cases of cervical cancer can now be prevented with the vaccine Cervarix.
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
RRP is a rare disease that causes warts to grow in the throat, potentially causing breathing problems. According to the RRP Foundation (RRPF), RRP is caused by HPV and is primarily located in and around the larynx, vocal chords and trachea. The warts caused by RRP need to be removed using surgical procedures. After removal, the warts are highly likely to reoccur in the throat. The RRPF estimates that nearly five percent of Americans may have HPV in their throats; however, less than one out of every 1,000 infections turns into RRP.
HPV and Pregnancy
HPV can cause a number of problems during pregnancy. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease reports that warts caused by HPV can multiply during pregnancy. Warts located in or around a pregnant woman's genital area may have to be surgically removed prior to delivering the baby. Warts caused by HPV can also become larger during pregnancy, causing the vagina to become less elastic and more obstructed during delivery. Occasionally during birth, a mother infected with RRP can pass the disease to her baby, increasing the risk of the potentially fatal condition known as JORRP, or juvenile onset RRP.
HPV Prevention
There are ways to prevent the contraction of HPV. In addition Cervarix, the vaccine that prevents cervical cancer and a second vaccine called Gardasil, protect men and women from contracting genital warts. For those who are sexually active, the CDC recommends using condoms and limiting sexual partners to lower the risk of contracting or spreading HPV.
