Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that spreads easily from person to person through skin-to-skin or sexual contact. There are many types of HPV. It often does not cause symptoms. However, depending upon the type, it may sometimes cause warts in the genitals (genital or mucosal HPV), or on the hands or feet (cutaneous or nonmucosal HPV). It is possible to be infected for a long time and pass HPV to others without knowing it.

In most cases of HPV, a person will recover from the virus without treatment within 2 years of being infected. However, in some cases, HPV infection can last longer and lead to serious health problems. Certain types of genital or mucosal HPV are considered high-risk and may cause cancers, including cancer of the lower part of the uterus (cervix), vagina, outer female genital area (vulva), penis, anus, and rectum as well as cancers of the oral cavity, such as the throat, tongue, and tonsils.

What are the causes?

HPV is caused by a virus that spreads from person to person through contact. This includes genital HPV, which spreads through oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

What increases the risk?

• Direct contact with a person with HPV.
• Unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
• Several sex partners.
• A sex partner who has other sex partners.
• Another sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• A weak disease-fighting system (immune system).
• Areas of damaged or non-intact skin.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Wart-like lesions in the throat (from having oral sex).
• Warts on the infected skin.
• Genital warts that may itch, burn, bleed, or be painful during sex.

How is this diagnosed?

If you have wart-like lumps in the anal area or throat, warts along the soles of your feet or palms of your hand, or if genital warts are present, your health care provider can usually diagnose HPV with a physical exam. Genital warts are easily seen.

• A Pap test. A Pap test takes a sample of cells from the cervix to check for cancer and HPV infection.
• An HPV test. This is similar to a Pap test and involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix. It may be done at the same time as a Pap test.
• Using a scope to view the cervix (colposcopy). This may be done if a pelvic exam or Pap test is abnormal. A sample of tissue may be removed for testing (biopsy) during the colposcopy.

Currently, there is no test to detect genital HPV in males.

How is this treated?

• Medicines in a cream, lotion, liquid, or gel form. These medicines may be injected into the warts, or applied directly to them.
• Use of a probe to apply extreme cold (cryotherapy) to the warts.
• Application of an intense beam of light (laser treatment) on the warts.
• Use of a probe to apply extreme heat (electrocautery) to the warts.
• Surgery to remove the warts.

Your health care provider will monitor you closely after you are treated. HPV can come back and you may need treatment again.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. This includes creams for itching or irritation.
• Do not treat genital or anal warts with medicines used for treating hand warts.

General instructions

• Do not touch or scratch the warts.
• Do not have sex while you are being treated.
• Do not douche or use tampons during treatment (for women).
• Tell your sex partner about your infection. He or she may also need to be treated.
• If you become pregnant, tell your health care provider that you have HPV. Your health care provider will monitor you closely during pregnancy to make sure you and your baby are safe.
• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Talk with your health care provider about getting an HPV vaccine, which can prevent some HPV infections and related cancers. It will not work if you already have HPV and is not recommended for pregnant women. You may need 2–3 doses of the vaccine, depending on your age.
• After treatment, use condoms during sex to prevent future infections.
• Have only one sex partner.
• Have a sex partner who does not have other sex partners.
• Get regular Pap tests as directed by your health care provider.

Contact a health care provider if:

• The treated skin becomes red, swollen, or painful.
• You have a fever.
• You feel generally ill.
• You feel lumps or pimples in and around your genital or anal area.
• You develop bleeding of the vagina or the treatment area.
• You have painful sex.

Summary

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that spreads easily from person to person and ishighly contagious.
• Many people carrying HPV do not have any symptoms.
• Many forms of HPV can be prevented with vaccination.
• There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems and symptoms HPV can cause.