Human Papilloma Virus

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of men and women; including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), and anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, and rectum. HPV types are often referred to as low-risk (wart-causing) or high-risk (cancer-causing), based on whether they put a person at risk for cancer. Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it.

Transmission

Genital HPV is passed on through skin-to-skin genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex, but not limited to intercourse. Most infected persons do not realize they are infected or that they are passing the virus to a sex partner because of the lack of physical symptoms.

Complications

Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health problems. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts in men and women, but high-risk HPV can cause cervical cancer and other less common cancers, such as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis.

Treatment

There is no treatment for the virus itself, but a healthy immune system can usually fight off HPV naturally. In 90% of cases, the body’s immune system clears the HPV infection. This is true of both high-risk and low-risk types. However, it is often difficult to determine when the infection has cleared.
 
The best treatment is prevention. There is now a vaccine available that protects against 90% of the low-risk HPV that causes genital warts and 70% of the high-risk HPV that can cause cancer. A regular Pap test is recommended for all sexually active women, even those who have been vaccinated. The Pap test can identify abnormal or pre-cancerous cell changes in the cervix so that the cells can be removed. Cervical cancer is most treatable when it is diagnosed early. There is currently no test available to detect HPV in men. Genital warts can be diagnosed with a visual inspection by a healthcare provider and treated in the office or with patient-applied medications.