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What is a genital HPV infection?
Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease
(STD) that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the name of a group of
viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or
types. Over 30 of these are sexually transmitted, and
they can infect the genital area, like the skin of the
penis, vulva, labia, or anus, or the tissues covering
the vagina and cervix.
Some of these viruses are considered "high-risk" types
and may cause abnormal Pap smears and cancer of the
cervix, anus, and penis. Others are "low-risk," and they
may cause mild Pap smear abnormalities and genital
warts. Genital warts are single or multiple growths or
bumps that appear in the genital area, and sometimes
form a cauliflower-like shape.
How common is HPV?
Approximately twenty million people are currently
infected with HPV. Fifty to 75% of sexually active men
and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in
their lives. About 5.5 million Americans get a new
genital HPV infection each year.
How do people get genital HPV infections?
The types of HPV that infect the genital area are spread
primarily through sexual contact. Most HPV infections
have no signs or symptoms; therefore, most infected
persons are completely unaware they are infected, yet
they can transmit the virus to a sex partner. Rarely,
pregnant women can pass HPV to their baby during vaginal
delivery. A newborn that is exposed to HPV during
delivery can develop warts in the larynx (voice box).
What are the signs and symptoms of genital HPV
infection?
Most people who have a genital HPV infection do not know
they are infected. The virus lives in the skin or mucus
membranes and usually causes no symptoms. Other people
get visible genital warts.
What are genital warts?
These usually appear as soft, moist, pink or red
swellings. They can be raised or flat, single or
multiple, small or large. Some cluster together forming
a cauliflower-like shape. They can appear on the vulva,
in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on
the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. Warts can appear
within several weeks after sexual contact with an
infected person, or they can take months to appear.
Genital warts are diagnosed by inspection. Visible
genital warts can be removed, but no treatment is better
than another, and no single treatment is ideal for all
cases.
Who is at risk for genital HPV infection?
Anyone who has sex is at risk for genital HPV infection.
How is genital HPV infection diagnosed?
Most women are diagnosed with HPV on the basis of
abnormal Pap smears. Pap smears are the primary
screening tool for cervical cancer or pre-cancerous
conditions, many of which are cell changes related to
HPV. Current HPV tests are fairly sophisticated and
expensive and are commercially available for women with
an abnormal Pap smear. They cannot identify which HPV
infections will lead to cervical cancer or pre-cancerous
conditions. Research is underway to determine the role
of HPV tests for cervical cancer screening.
Is there a cure for HPV?
There is no "cure" for HPV, although the infection
usually goes away on its own. Cancer-related types are
more likely to persist.
What is the connection between HPV infection and
cervical cancer?
All types of HPV can cause mild Pap smear abnormalities
that do not have serious consequences. Approximately 10
of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare
cases, to development of cervical cancer. Research has
shown that for most (90%) women, cervical HPV infection
becomes undetectable within two years; only a small
proportion have persistent infection. Persistent
infection with certain types of HPV is the key risk
factor for cervical cancer.
A Pap smear can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells
on the cervix. Frequent Pap smears and careful medical
followup, with treatment if necessary, can help ensure
that pre-cancerous cells in the cervix caused by HPV
infection do not develop into life-threatening cervical
cancer. The Pap test used in U.S. cervical cancer
screening programs is responsible for greatly reducing
deaths from cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society
estimated that about 12,800 women in the United States
were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in 2000. In
2001, approximately 4,600 women will die from cervical
cancer.
How can genital HPV infection be prevented?
- Abstinence is the most effective strategy to
prevent HPV infection.
- Two uninfected individuals who have no other sex
partners besides each other cannot get genital HPV
infection. The following practices for sexually
active people will help prevent infection
- Do not have sex with anyone who has genital
sores or unusual growths in the genital area or the
anus
- Be aware that condoms can reduce, but do not
eliminate, the risk for transmission to uninfected
partners.
- If you are a sexually active women, you should
have a regular Pap smear to screen for cervical
cancer or other precancerous conditions.
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