HPV or human papillomavirus is very common. There are over 40 known strains of this interesting virus. HPV is considered both a sexually transmitted disease and a common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact. It is the cause of the common wart. While not commonly painful, deadly or debilitating, warts are embarrassing and difficult to get rid of. Genital warts are one example of the embarrassing toll HPV can take on your life. The ease of transmission is the most frightening thing about HPV. The presence of warts may signal an immune problem or even a precancerous condition. More virulent HPV strains are the known causes of several forms of cancer.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of HPV infection are actually no symptoms at all. Many go on about their lives infected with the virus without even knowing it. HPV can be silent for many years. Experts estimate that as many as 50% of men will get it at some time in their lives. The Center for Disease Control reports that this amounts to nearly 1% of sexually active men at any given time. However, HPV seems to go away by itself. Some will contract and spread it without ever getting a wart. Warts often manifest as non-painful growths that are raised, flat or cauliflower-like in appearance. They can surface on the penis or anus, depending on the location of contact. Rather than searching for symptoms of HPV infection, it is better to try to detect the cancers it may cause before they have proliferated. Screening those at risk is one way of preventing the penile, anal and cervical cancers caused by HPV.
At Risk
All sexually active individuals are at risk for HPV. Promiscuous activity increases the chance of getting it. Gay and bisexual men are 17 times more likely to contract HPV than heterosexual men. Those with HIV/AIDS or compromised immune systems are far more likely to develop a very severe case of genital warts. A yearly anal pap test can help gay, bisexual and HIV+ men prevent or detect various forms of cancer caused by HPV.
Treatment
HPV cannot be treated directly. The warts that it causes, however, can be eliminated by surgery, freezing or prescription creams once a qualified physician has made the visual diagnosis. Home remedies such as a vinegar solution can help to diagnose the warts by raising the affected skin to alert you of their presence. This does not always work. Over-the-counter treatments are available for the common wart. These range from creams, gels and medicated bandages to freezing kits, which utilize cold, compressed gas to kill the HPV virus. These methods should not be used for genital warts.
Complications
HPV can cause cervical, penile or anal cancer. While rare, these cancers can be debilitating and deadly. In true HPV style, anal cancer often shows no symptoms. Bleeding, pain, itching, discharge, swollen lymph nodes in the groin and changes in bowel movements or stool can all indicate anal cancer. The CDC does not recommend the anal pap tests due to lack of research, but early detection can improve the prognosis.
Avoiding HPV
The only way to completely avoid HPV is complete abstinence. Condoms can drastically reduce the chances of contracting HPV, but not completely. Monogamy is recommended for further decreasing the odds of contraction. If your partner has HPV, the best thing you can do is remain monogamous and avoid sexual contact when symptoms are present. Many sexually active people will have the virus at some point in their lives. Men with healthy immune systems will rarely if ever develop symptoms. The vaccine Gardasil was made available to women ages 9 to 26 in 2006 to protect and prevent cancers and warts associated with HPV. The FDA is considering the vaccination of men as well, pending research to confirm safety.
