OverviewHuman papillomavirus, or HPV, infection is a sexually transmitted infection, or STI, caused by a group of viruses. When signs or symptoms of HPV develop, it is called a sexually transmitted disease, or STD.
What is going on in the body?More than 70 types of HPV have been classified. Some types cause genital warts otherwise known as venereal warts. Other types may lead to cervical cancer.
It is estimated that 70% of sexually active women have been exposed to HPV. Those women who become infected do not always have visible genital warts. The virus may be quiet, or not active, for a long time.
Symptoms may then occur as a result of illness or stress on the immune system, such as other vaginal infections. Sexual contact with a new partner who is infected with a different type of HPV may trigger an outbreak of visible lesions.
What are the signs and symptoms of the infection?Most women have no symptoms during the early stage of infection. In several studies that involved college women, nearly half were positive for HPV. However, only 1% to 2% had visible warts and fewer than 10% remembered ever having warts. If symptoms are present, they may include the following:
• dry, painless, cauliflower-like warts on the genitals
• genital sores
• increased dampness or moisture in the area of the warts
• chronic itching of the outer lips of the vagina
• increased vaginal discharge
• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• abnormal Pap smear results. A Pap smear is an examination, under a microscope, of cells scraped from the cervix.
• warts in other sexually exposed areas, such as the genitals, anus or mouth
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
The human papilloma virus is usually passed from one partner to another during sexual activity. Any intimate contact of the genitals, mouth, rectal area, or the sharing of sexual toys can transmit the organism from one individual to another. A woman's risk of HPV infection is increased if she has more than one sexual partner.
What can be done to prevent the infection?
Safer sex practices can help lower a woman's risk of HPV infection. The use of male condoms or female condoms can reduce, but does not always prevent, catching or spreading the human papilloma virus. The virus may be outside the "field of protection," such as on the scrotum or the outer area of the vagina.
How is the infection diagnosed?
Genital warts on the skin are often noticed by the woman or her partner and confirmed by a healthcare provider. A Pap smear
may show changes from the virus even if genital warts are not seen. These changes may be the abnormal cells of cervical dysplasia
or even cancer of the cervix. Special tests to determine the type of HPV may also be done to determine if there may be an increased risk of cancer.
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