Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

"If u feel affected by HPV, please visit nearest clinic and send your samples to Geneflux"

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a widespread virus that can impact various areas of the body.

HPV includes over 100 different strains, some of which cause warts on the hands, feet, and face. Around 30 strains specifically affect the genital area, including the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, and scrotum, as well as the rectum and anus. This also includes the strain responsible for genital warts.

Certain high-risk HPV strains can lead to cancers such as cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer. However, early detection through Pap smears or HPV screening, along with timely treatment of precancerous cells, can often prevent cancer from developing.

Symptoms

Genital HPV infections typically do not cause symptoms.

When symptoms do appear, the most common sign is the presence of genital warts. These warts may resemble rough, cauliflower-like lumps or skin tags on the skin. They can develop weeks, months, or even years after exposure to a low-risk HPV strain.

Like all forms of HPV, genital warts are contagious. They can also cause itching and discomfort.

HPV Warts

The HPV strains that cause warts, including genital warts, are nuisances. After all, no one wants warts, least of all on their genitals. Still, these types of HPV are harmless. HPV types 6 and 11 most often cause genital warts. Other types of HPV cause warts on other parts of your body. These warts are:

Flat warts

Flat warts are small, smooth, and slightly raised skin lesions that often appear in clusters. They tend to be flatter and less rough compared to common warts.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts are rough, hard growths that appear on the bottoms of your feet, usually on the heels or other pressure points. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be painful, especially when walking or standing.

Periungal and subungual warts

Periungual and subungual warts are warts that form around or under the fingernails and toenails. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be tough to treat.

Who does HPV affect?

Anyone can get HPV through sex or close skin-to-skin genital contact with an infected partner. Likewise, a person with the virus can pass it to their partner during intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, or other intimate genital contact.

HPV in females

HPV generally poses the highest risk to females, as high-risk strains can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.

HPV in males

HPV poses fewer health risks to males than females. HPV can cause genital warts in males, but most infections clear on their own.

Complications of HPV

The most severe complication of HPV is cancer, with cervical cancer being the most common HPV-related type. Other HPV-associated cancers are much less common and include:

Anal Cancer

Penile Cancer

Throat Cancer

Vaginal Cancer

Vulvar Cancer

Pap Smear

A Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer and precancerous cells that could develop into cancer if not treated. High-risk HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer.

HPV Test

HPV tests identify high-risk strains of the virus that could lead to cervical cancer if not treated.

Colposcopy

If your Pap smear reveals abnormal cells or you test positive for HPV, your provider may recommend a colposcopy. This procedure uses a lighted instrument called a colposcope to magnify the cervix, making abnormal cells more visible. Your provider may also remove a sample of these cells for laboratory testing to check for signs of precancer or cancer.

Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)

In areas without access to Pap smears or HPV tests, providers may use VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid). During this procedure, a vinegar-based solution is applied to the cervix, causing abnormal cells to turn white, making them easier to detect.