Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is one of the most common family of viruses in the world today.
It's also thought to be the world's most common sexually transmitted infection and is transmitted by skin-to-skin
(including sexual) contact. HPV affects cells both inside and outside of the body, including the surface of the skin,
lining of the mouth, tongue, throat, tonsils, vagina, cervix, penis, and anus.
Most people who get HPV don't have any symptoms or signs and can spread
the disease unknowingly. HPV is not related to HIV (the human
immunodeficiency virus, which can cause AIDS).
Different Health Risks
There are many different types of HPV in fact, more than 80 strains have already been identified and
researchers believe there are more than 200. Some types of HPV cause common skin warts and plantar warts (warts
on the soles of the feet). More than 30 strains affect the anogenital tract (on or between the anus and genitals).
Of the strains of HPV that affect the genitals:
- Some strains can cause pre-cancerous lesions, cervical cancer and other genital cancers and are referred to as carcinogenic or high-risk types
- Other types can lead to genital warts (warts appearing on the vulva, urethra, cervix, anus, thighs, penis, or scrotum) and are referred to as low-risk types because they rarely cause cancer
Transmission
HPV is not spread through blood. Most commonly it's spread through skin-to-skin contact with the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva, or anus of an infected person. Kissing or touching a partner's genitals can also spread HPV. Condoms don't guarantee protection since the virus can be on an area of skin not covered by the condom.
Genital warts are very contagious and are spread during oral, vaginal, and anal sex with an infected partner. Two-thirds of those who have sex with someone who has genital warts will develop warts themselves, usually within three months of contact.
Genital warts may last for years and then go away, but the HPV virus can remain dormant in the body and the warts might return later.
Symptoms
Genital Warts. Though usually painless, symptoms may include:
- Itching or burning sensation, and occasional minor bleeding as a result of anal sex or bowel movements.
- Cauliflower-like growths (but they can be flat and hard to see) most commonly around the genitals/anus or the upper thighs, though rarely they can be on the lips or in the mouth after oral sex with an infected person.
Treatments and Prevention
A vaccine has been approved by Health Canada for females between the ages of 9 and 26 for the prevention of cervical cancer,
vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, precancerous lesions and genital warts cause by certain types of HPV.
However, because HPV is a virus and not a bacterial infection, it cannot be destroyed with antibiotics, so there is currently no
cure for to eliminate a current HPV infection. Treatment depends on the type of HPV infection and, in the case of cervical cancer,
the stage of development.
Genital Warts
Visible warts can be removed, but this does not always eliminate HPV and warts can reappear.
Chemical treatments are available, including podophyllin and trichloroacetic acid which can both be
applied to warts by a doctor, but application needs to be repeated several times and can be painful,
embarrassing, and may cause scarring. Another new product, Imiquimod cream, has also had some success
at stimulating the immune system to fight the virus.
Other methods are also available depending on the size, number, and location of the warts, and include:
- Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen)
- Electrosurgery (passing an electric current through abnormal cells)
- Laser therapy (super heating and vaporizing abnormal cells)
Cervical Cancer
Early-stage cervical cancer can usually be treated successfully. Later-stage disease kills by invading nearby tissues. There are some benefits from chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Disease that has spread beyond the pelvis is generally regarded as incurable since the survival rates are about one in five. Cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection (PAP screening) and treatment, but the ideal solution is to prevent the infection that causes it - HPV.