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HPV
HPV Information
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, may be responsible for warts anywhere on the body. Only certain types of the virus are transferable through sexual contact.
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Warts may be referred to as the 'clinical' version of the virus, while the 'subclinical' version of the virus may be under the skin and out of sight. The subclinical version of the virus may be more common than the clinical version and may cause cervical cell changes or cervical cancer. Links to prostate cancer and cancer involving male genitalia are being researched as well.
HPV may be spread through skin-to-skin contact, often during vaginal, anal or oral intercourse. The virus may enter the body through breaks in the skin, possibly caused by friction during sex or small tears in the skin. HPV may come to the surface in the form of warts, or may stay under the skin and may never come to the surface at all.
Currently more research may be needed to fully understand why women with HPV may be at a greater risk of cervical cancer. Only a few strains of the virus may actually lead to cancer, as the potential for malignancy may be low; strains of the virus that cause visible warts may not lead to cancer.
People with HPV may have no symptoms at all. If warts do appear, they may appear on the vulva, cervix, in or around the vagina or anus, and anywhere on the groin or thighs. Men may experience warts on the penis or scrotum. Warts may also appear in the mouth. Warts may appear in a variety of forms.
Patients may have warts that are small or large, raised or flat or may have single warts or groups of warts. Warts may appear flesh colored, but may rarely appear pink or gray. Normally painless, warts may, in some cases, cause itching, bleeding and pain.
Currently there is no known cure for HPV, though the body’s immune system may better handle the virus with time if it’s strong. Treating warts caused by HPV may be purely cosmetic. Some patients may let warts go away on their own. Prescription medication may be used in treating warts, while others may opt to remove warts through cryotherapy (freezing), using lasers, through electrocautery (electric current) or surgically.
Healthcare professionals may recommend other treatments as well. Regular pap smears for women are often recommended to monitor any skin cell changes on the cervix. Certain remedies such as aloe vera have may help boost the body’s immunity to the virus and thus limit its effects on skin.
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HPV may be spread through skin-to-skin contact, often during vaginal, anal or oral intercourse. The virus may enter the body through breaks in the skin, possibly caused by friction during sex or small tears in the skin. HPV may come to the surface in the form of warts, or may stay under the skin and may never come to the surface at all.
Currently more research may be needed to fully understand why women with HPV may be at a greater risk of cervical cancer. Only a few strains of the virus may actually lead to cancer, as the potential for malignancy may be low; strains of the virus that cause visible warts may not lead to cancer.
People with HPV may have no symptoms at all. If warts do appear, they may appear on the vulva, cervix, in or around the vagina or anus, and anywhere on the groin or thighs. Men may experience warts on the penis or scrotum. Warts may also appear in the mouth. Warts may appear in a variety of forms.
Patients may have warts that are small or large, raised or flat or may have single warts or groups of warts. Warts may appear flesh colored, but may rarely appear pink or gray. Normally painless, warts may, in some cases, cause itching, bleeding and pain.
Currently there is no known cure for HPV, though the body’s immune system may better handle the virus with time if it’s strong. Treating warts caused by HPV may be purely cosmetic. Some patients may let warts go away on their own. Prescription medication may be used in treating warts, while others may opt to remove warts through cryotherapy (freezing), using lasers, through electrocautery (electric current) or surgically.
Healthcare professionals may recommend other treatments as well. Regular pap smears for women are often recommended to monitor any skin cell changes on the cervix. Certain remedies such as aloe vera have may help boost the body’s immunity to the virus and thus limit its effects on skin.
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