HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is generally harmless and goes away on its own, but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts.
Most people with HPV have no symptoms or health problems. Sometimes, it can cause genital warts. Some types can cause cancer.
The Most Common STD
There are over 200 types of human papillomavirus. Around 40 types can infect your genital area — your vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, and scrotum — as well as your mouth and throat. These types of HPV are spread through sexual contact. Other types cause common warts, such as hand warts and plantar warts on the feet. But these are not sexually transmitted.
Genital HPV infections are very, very common. In fact, most people who have sex contract it at some point in their lives. Most infected people have no symptoms and feel totally fine, so they usually don’t even know they’re infected.
Most genital HPV infections are harmless and go away on their own. However, some types can cause genital warts or certain types of cancer.
Two types of HPV (types 6 and 11) are responsible for most cases of genital warts. Warts aren’t fun, but they’re considered low-risk HPV, as they don’t cause cancer or other serious health problems.
At least a dozen types of HPV can sometimes cause cancer, although two in particular (types 16 and 18) account for the majority of cancer cases. These are known as high-risk HPVs. Cervical cancer is most often linked to HPV, but it can also cause cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth, and throat.
There’s no cure for HPV. But there’s a lot you can do to prevent HPV from having a negative impact on your health. There are vaccines that can protect you against certain types. Genital warts can be removed by your nurse or doctor. High-risk HPV can usually be easily treated before it turns into cancer. That’s why regular Pap/HPV tests are so important. While condoms and dental dams don’t offer perfect protection, they can help reduce your risk of contracting it.
How Do You Get Papillomavirus?
It’s easily transmitted through skin-to-skin sexual contact with someone who has it. You get it when your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, or anus touches someone else’s genitals, mouth, or throat — usually during sex. HPV can be transmitted even if no one ejaculates, and even if the penis doesn’t enter the vagina, anus, or mouth.
It’s the most common STD, but most of the time it’s not serious. It usually goes away on its own, and most people don’t even know they’ve already been infected with papillomavirus. Remember, most people who have sex contract it at some point in their lives. There’s no need to be ashamed or afraid.
What’s the Difference Between Papillomavirus and Genital Warts?
Genital warts are harmless growths on the skin of the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, scrotum, or anus. Most genital warts are caused by two types of HPV — types 6 and 11. Genital warts look like light, fleshy bumps that sometimes resemble miniature cauliflower. They are generally painless. They can be treated and removed like warts you might get on your hands or feet.
Since genital warts can resemble other common bumpy skin problems, only your nurse or doctor can diagnose and treat your genital warts. Fortunately, warts are not dangerous and do not lead to cancer. That’s why the types of papillomavirus that cause genital warts are called “low-risk.” However, they can cause irritation and discomfort. If you think you have genital warts, it’s important to get treatment immediately.
What’s the Treatment for High-Risk HPV?
There is no cure. But if you have high-risk HPV, it could lead to abnormal cell changes that could lead to cancer. If your Pap test result is abnormal, you may need to undergo other tests and/or treatments, including:
Colposcopy — a procedure to examine the cervix more closely for precancerous cells.
Cryotherapy — a treatment to freeze and eliminate precancerous cervical cells.
LEEP or loop electrosurgical excision procedure — treatment to remove precancerous cells from the cervix with an electric current.
Is Papillomavirus Curable?
There is no cure. But there are many things you can do to stay healthy and safe. And it’s even possible to prevent it! Some vaccines can prevent high-risk HPV types and those that cause genital warts. Most of the time, your body can fight HPV before it causes serious problems. And before you’re even aware of the infection. For high-risk types that can eventually lead to cancer, the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to detect abnormal cells with regular Pap or HPV tests.
