NORTH COAST WOMEN’S HEALTH
707-443-3557 Barbara
Marchi, N.P.
GENITAL HPV INFECTION
What is genital HPV infection?
Genital HPV infection is a
sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by human papillomavirus
(HPV). Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is
the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or
types. Over 30 of these are sexually
transmitted, and they can infect the genital area, like the skin of the penis,
vulva, labia, or anus, or the tissues covering the vagina and cervix.
Some of these viruses are
considered “high-risk” types and may cause abnormal Pap smears and cancer of
the cervix, anus, and penis. Others are
“low-risk,” and they may cause mild Pap smear abnormalities and genital
warts. Genital warts are single or
multiple growths or bumps that appear in the genital area, and sometimes form a
cauliflower-like shape.
How common is HPV?
Approximately twenty million
people are currently infected with HPV.
Fifty to 75% of sexually active men and women
acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. About 5.5 million Americans get a new genital
HPV infection each year.
How do people get genital HPV infections?
The types of HPV that infect the
genital area are spread primarily through sexual contact. Most HPV infections have no signs or
symptoms; therefore, most infected persons are completely unaware they are
infected, yet they can transmit the virus to a sex partner. Rarely, pregnant women can pass HPV to their
baby during vaginal delivery. A newborn
that is exposed to HPV during delivery can develop warts in the larynx (voice
box).
What are the signs and symptoms of genital HPV infection?
Most people who have a genital
HPV infection do not know they are infected.
The virus live in the skin or mucus membranes
and usually causes no symptoms. Other
people get visible genital warts.
What are genital warts?
These usually appear as soft,
moist, pink or red swellings. They can
be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large. Some cluster together forming a
cauliflower-like shape. They can appear
on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on the penis,
scrotum, groin, or thigh. Warts can
appear within several weeks after sexual contact with an infected person, or
they can take months to appear.
Genital warts are diagnosed by
inspection. Visible genital warts can be
removed, but no treatment is better than another, and no single treatment is
ideal for all cases.
Who is at risk for genital HPV infection?
Anyone who has sex is at risk
for genital HPV infection. Individuals
who are immunocompromised and smokers are at greater risk.
How is genital HPV infection diagnosed?
Most women are diagnosed with
HPV on the basis of abnormal Pap smears.
Pap smears are the primary screening tool for cervical cancer or
pre-cancerous conditions, many of which are cell changes related to HPV. Current HPV tests are fairly sophisticated
and expensive and are commercially available for women with an abnormal Pap
smear. They cannot identify which HPV
infections will lead to cervical cancer or precancerous conditions. Research is underway to determine the role of
HPV tests for cervical cancer screening.
Is there a cure for HPV?
There is no “cure” for HPV,
although the infection usually goes away on its own. Cancer-related types are more likely to
persist.
What is the connection between HPV infection and cervical cancer?
All types of HPV can cause mild
Pap smear abnormalities that do not have serious consequences. Approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital
HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. Research has shown that for most (90%) women,
cervical HPV infection becomes undetectable within two years; only a small proportion have persistent infection. Persistent infection with certain types of
HPV is the key risk factor for cervical cancer.
A Pap smear can detect
pre-cancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix. Frequent Pap smears and careful medical
followup, with treatment if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous cells
in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life-threatening
cervical cancer. The Pap test used in
How can genital HPV infection be prevented?
Abstinence is the most effective
strategy to prevent HPV infection.
Two uninfected individuals who
have no other sex partners besides each other cannot get genital HPV
infection. The following practices for
sexually active people will help prevent infection:
• Do not have sex with anyone who has genital sores or
unusual growths in the genital area or the anus.
• Be aware that condoms can reduce, but do not eliminate,
the risk for transmission to uninfected partners.
• If you are a sexually active woman, you should have a
regular Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer or other precancerous
conditions.
Fact sheet
information taken off the Centers for Disease Control web site www.cdc.gov.