HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS
Condition
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. There are more than 100 different types of HPV, four of which cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers. HPV infection also causes 90 percent of all genital warts.
HPV is usually diagnosed after a Pap smear reveals signs of the virus in the cells. Genital warts can usually be seen with the naked eye. They are red, pink, brown or flesh-colored bumps in and around the genital and anal areas. The warts may also appear in the vagina and on the cervix. Since nobody can predict whether genital warts will grow or disappear on their own, if you have them, you should be treated. There is no cure for HPV infection. Treatments are directed toward destroying or removing the HPV-infected cells, such as warts and precancerous changes in the cervix, vagina, vulva and anal areas.
HPV in pregnancy usually does not cause problems either for the mother or the unborn baby. Even if the mother has genital warts, the baby rarely gets infected. If the HPV infection is pre-cancerous, the mother will be closely monitored during the pregnancy.
There is a vaccine available (Gardasil) that is very effective in preventing infection by the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for females age 9 to 26 years old. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the vaccine routinely be given to girls when they are 11 to 12 years old.
Causes
The HPV virus is extremely contagious. It is spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Factors that put a woman at higher risk of contracting HPV include:
- having multiple sex partners
- having a sex partner who has multiple sex partners
- being young, from the teenage years to 24 years old, because people in this age group tend to have more sexual partners
- failure to use condoms during sexual contact
- having (or having had) another sexually transmitted disease.
Symptoms
In most cases, HPV infection causes no symptoms and is detected with a Pap smear. If HPV infection causes genital warts, however, they may sometimes be visible with the naked eye and may itch, burn or bleed.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
Call your doctor right away (day or night) if you have had surgical treatment for conditions caused by HPV and:
- You are bleeding.
- You have a fever of 100 degrees F or higher.
Call Your Doctor During Regular Office Hours If
- You have genital warts and want an appointment for treatment. While you are there, you might also ask to be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Your Pap smear detected HPV and you want to be referred to a specialist.
- You need a prescription to treat genital warts that are itching and burning.
- You need a prescription for pain medication after treatment.
- You want to make an appointment for your annual Pap smear.
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS
- Follow your doctor's advice following treatment. This includes having follow-up Pap smears on the schedule recommended.
- There are nonprescription medications you can take for minor discomfort after surgical treatment.
- There are nonprescription steroid creams you can use to relieve discomfort caused by genital warts.
PREVENTION
- The surest way to eliminate your risk of getting HPV is to abstain from sexual contact.
- Having a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected sex partner will reduce your risk of infection, although a partner who has been sexually active in the past may be infected and show no symptoms.
- Use condoms during sexual intercourse.
- Get the HPV vaccine if you are eligible for it.
For More Information Click on the Links Below
- National Institutes of Health Human Papilloma Virus and Genital Warts
- National Cancer Institute Human Papilloma Virus and Cancer
- U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HPV Infection
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 61, April 2005.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Patient Education, Human Papilloma Virus Infection APO 73, 1999.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee Opinion, Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination, Number 344, September 2006.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new healthcare information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional