About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
For genital HPV to spread, there must be skin-to-skin contact during intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. If your genitals (vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and scrotum, rectum, and anus) come into contact with the same parts of an infected partner you could get infected. Also, hand-to-genital contact may cause the virus to spread.
What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Among these, more than 40 types can infect the genital areas of men and women, including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, and rectum.
Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it. Usually, the body’s immune system gets rid of the HPV infection naturally within two years. This is true of both high-risk and low-risk types. However, some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. However some vaccines can stop these health problems from happening.
HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. This is true even for people who only have sex with one person in their lifetime. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. You can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected. This makes it hard to know when you first became infected.
In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.
HPV can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer). Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types of HPV that can cause cancers.
How is HPV related to cervical cancer?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer, one of the most common types of cancer in women worldwide. The relationship between HPV and cervical cancer is well-established and is a key factor in the prevention and early detection of this disease.
HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, more than 40 of which can infect the genital areas of men and women. Certain types of HPV, known as high-risk types, can cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Over time, these changes can develop into precancerous lesions. If these lesions are not detected and treated, they can progress to cervical cancer.
It’s important to note that while HPV infection is common, not everyone who has HPV will develop cervical cancer. Most HPV infections go away on their own without causing any health problems. However, in some people, the virus does not go away and can cause changes in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time.
The link between HPV and cervical cancer has led to significant advancements in preventive measures. Vaccines are now available that can protect against the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Regular screening for cervical cancer, through Pap tests and HPV tests, can also help detect precancerous changes in the cervix early, before they develop into cancer.
How is Human Papillomavirus (HPV) treated?
Although HPV treatments can’t rid your body of the virus, they can remove any visible warts on your genitals or abnormal cells in your cervix. Treatments may include:
Cryosurgery: Freezing warts or destroying abnormal cells with liquid nitrogen.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): Using a special wire loop to remove warts or abnormal cells on your cervix.
Electrocautery: Burning warts off with an electrical current.
Laser therapy: Using an intense light to destroy warts or any abnormal cells.
Cold knife cone biopsy: Removing a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue that contains abnormal cells.
Prescription cream: Applying medicated cream directly to your warts to destroy them.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA): Applying a chemical treatment that burns off warts.
Only a few people infected with high-risk HPV will develop abnormal cervical cells that require treatment.
HPV Symptoms, Diagnosis & Tests
Who does HPV affect?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can affect both men and women. It’s so common that nearly all sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.
HPV can affect anyone sexually active, regardless of their gender or age. However, it’s most commonly diagnosed in people in their late teens and early 20s, as this is when people are often most sexually active. Both men and women can contract and transmit the virus, even if they don’t show any symptoms.
Women are particularly at risk of the health problems associated with HPV, as certain types of the virus can lead to cervical cancer. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts in both men and women. In addition, certain types of the virus can cause other types of cancer, including anal cancer, penile cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the back of the throat), in both men and women.
It’s important to note that not everyone who gets HPV will develop health problems. Most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems, and most HPV infections go away by themselves within two years. However, if an HPV infection does not go away, it can cause genital warts or certain types of cancer.
HPV can affect individuals of all races and ethnicities. However, disparities exist in the rates of HPV-related diseases among different racial and ethnic groups, often due to differences in access to screening and vaccination services.
HPV signs in Women & Men
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can affect both men and women. However, in many cases, HPV does not cause any symptoms, and individuals may not know they are infected. When symptoms do occur, they can vary depending on the type of HPV virus involved.
In women, certain types of HPV, known as high-risk types, can lead to changes in the cells of the cervix, which can be detected through regular cervical screening tests, such as Pap smears or HPV tests. These changes do not cause any physical symptoms, but if left untreated, they can develop into cervical cancer over time. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts, which appear as small, flat, or raised bumps on the skin in the genital area. These warts may cause discomfort, itching, or pain.
In men, HPV can also cause genital warts, which can appear on the penis, scrotum, anus, or groin. Like in women, these warts may cause discomfort, itching, or pain. Men are also at risk of developing cancer from HPV, including cancers of the penis, anus, and throat. However, these cancers are less common than cervical cancer in women and often do not cause symptoms until they are at an advanced stage.
It’s important to note that the presence of genital warts does not mean that an individual will develop cancer. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are usually different from the types that cause cancer. However, because HPV can be asymptomatic, regular check-ups and screenings are crucial, particularly for women.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that often does not cause any symptoms, which means many people who have the virus may not know they are infected. However, when symptoms do occur, they can vary depending on the type of HPV virus involved.
One of the most common symptoms of HPV is the appearance of genital warts. These can occur in both men and women and are caused by specific types of HPV. Genital warts usually appear as small, flat, or raised bumps on the skin in the genital or anal area. They can be single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes they cluster together giving a cauliflower-like appearance. While these warts can cause discomfort, they are not dangerous.
However, certain types of HPV, known as high-risk types, can lead to more serious health problems, including various forms of cancer. These types of HPV can cause changes in the cells of the cervix in women, which can eventually lead to cervical cancer. Other types of cancer that can be caused by HPV include vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, mouth, and throat cancers. These types of HPV infections often do not cause any symptoms until the cancer has progressed, which is why regular screenings for HPV and HPV-related cancers are so important.
It’s important to note that having HPV does not mean you will get cancer. Most people with HPV do not develop cancer, and in most cases, the body’s immune system can clear the HPV infection naturally within two years.
How do you get HPV?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection, meaning it is primarily spread through sexual activity. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and it can be passed on even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms of the virus. It’s important to note that HPV can be contracted from someone who has had the virus for many years, even if they have remained symptom-free.
HPV can also be spread through close skin-to-skin contact, which means that it can be transmitted during sexual activities that do not involve intercourse. Furthermore, certain types of HPV can be passed on through non-sexual means. For example, some types of HPV that cause warts on the hands or feet can be spread through casual skin contact or from surfaces in places like public swimming pools or showers.
It’s also worth noting that while using condoms and dental dams can reduce the risk of contracting HPV, they do not eliminate the risk entirely. This is because HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom or dental dam.
HPV is extremely common; most sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. In most cases, the body’s immune system clears the HPV infection naturally within two years. However, some types of HPV can persist and lead to health problems like genital warts and various types of cancer.
Vaccination is a highly effective way to prevent HPV infection. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause genital warts and cervical cancer, as well as some other types of cancer. The vaccine is recommended for preteens aged 11 to 12 but can be given starting at age 9 and through age 26 if not vaccinated earlier.
Diagnosis and Tests of HPV
Diagnosing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) often involves a combination of physical examination and laboratory tests. If genital warts are visible, a healthcare provider might be able to diagnose HPV infection by looking at the warts. In cases where genital warts aren’t visible, one or more of the following tests may be required:
Vinegar (acetic acid) solution test: A vinegar solution applied to HPV-infected genital areas turns them white. This may help in identifying difficult-to-see flat lesions.
Pap test: This test involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix or vagina for laboratory analysis. Pap tests can reveal abnormalities that can lead to cancer.
DNA test: This test, conducted on cells from the cervix, can recognize the DNA of the high-risk varieties of HPV that have been linked to genital cancers. It’s recommended for women 30 and older in addition to the Pap test.
It’s important to note that a Pap test cannot detect HPV, but it can find cell changes or abnormal cells in the cervix. When testing is done only for HPV, this is called a primary HPV test.
If an abnormal HPV or Pap test is detected, a procedure called a colposcopy is performed. Using an instrument that provides a magnified view of the cervix (colposcope), the doctor will look closely at the cervix and take samples (biopsy) of any areas that look abnormal.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) treatment in Iran
Equipped hospitals, and advanced specialized centers with experienced doctors and specialists are available in all medical treatment areas in Iran. Also, good hotels and entertainment centers have made Iran an appropriate choice for patients who are dealing with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and need treatment.
What is the treatment for HPV in Iran?
In Iran, the treatment for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is similar to global standards, which typically involve managing symptoms and monitoring for any potential complications. For genital warts, one of the most common symptoms of HPV, treatments may include topical medications or surgical procedures to remove the warts. Regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor for any recurrence.
In terms of preventing HPV-related cancers, regular screening is crucial. Women are advised to have regular Pap tests, which can detect precancerous changes in the cervix that could potentially develop into cervical cancer. If abnormal cells are detected, further tests and treatments may be required.
One of the most significant advancements in HPV treatment is the development of the HPV vaccine. Iran is one of the countries that have the high-tech knowledge to produce the HPV vaccine. The production of the HPV vaccine in Iran is in the final stages of clinical trial and is expected to be launched shortly. This vaccine can protect against the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and other types of cancer.
Despite these treatments and preventive measures, it’s important to note that there is currently no cure for HPV. Therefore, prevention is key. This includes practicing safe sex, getting regular screenings, and getting vaccinated.