Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is thought to be one of the most common viral STI. HPV is a virus that is spread through sex or close skin-to-skin, genital area contact with someone who is infected.

There are different types of HPV that can cause different problems. Many people can be infected with HPV and not know it. Some kinds of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types can lead to cancer.

Genital Warts

Genital warts are growths on or around the genitals or anal area in both males and females that are caused by HPV. The warts can be different sizes. They may look like a very small cauliflower or be flat and hard to see. They grow in moist areas such as the penis, the vagina, the cervix, the anus, the scrotum and the thighs. Very rarely warts may appear on the lips or in the mouth after oral sex with an infected person. The warts are not usually painful but can occasionally be itchy and may have a discharge or bleed - especially if they have been irritated.

For a woman who is pregnant, it's not certain what effect genital warts have on her baby. The baby may be at risk of getting an HPV infection in the throat, but experts don't believe that the warts are passed along to the baby very often.

If you think you may have genital warts you should see your doctor. If you do have genital warts, no treatment can guarantee that you will be cured of your HPV infection. However, treating your warts may lower your risk of passing them along to others. Your doctor may apply medication directly onto the warts. He or she may also give you medication that you apply to your warts yourself. Even when they are treated, warts often return. But over time many people eventually clear HPV from their bodies, and don't get any more warts.

The types of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause cancer. But, because you could have more than one type of HPV you could be at risk for both warts and cancer.

Genital Cancers
(Cervical Cancer, Cancer of the Penis or Anus)

Some types of HPV can cause cancer, one of the most common being cervical cancer in women. The cervix is deep inside the vagina. It's the opening to the womb or uterus. The cervix is the most common place in females to be infected with HPV.

When the cervix is infected with HPV, changes can occur in the cells of the cervix. These changes can lead to cancer of the cervix if they are not found and treated. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. A Pap test is the best way to check the cells of the cervix to see if they have any changes. If your cervix has precancerous or cancerous changes you may not have any symptoms – that is why it is so important to have regular Pap tests.

Some types of HPV can also lead to other cancers in the genital area in both males and females - like anal cancer, cancer of the penis and cancer of the vulva.

Using a condom every time you have sex may help to reduce your risk of getting HPV. But the virus can still be spread through skin that is not covered by a condom.'

Anyone who has had sex is at risk of having HPV, even if there are no symptoms. If you are concerned that you may be infected with HPV you should see your doctor. And if you are female, it's important that you see your doctor regularly for Pap testing.

COULD THIS BE YOU?

"I've had a Pap test and a blood test. Won't that cover everything?"

DID YOU KNOW

There are special tests for different kinds of sexually transmitted infections. Some are urine tests, some are blood tests, and some need a swab from the female's vagina or from the male's penis. If you're having sex, ask your doctor or ask your clinic for a complete STI check-up.

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