Human Papilloma Virus - Sexual Health Peer Resource Center

What it is: is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. is also harder to understand than other STDs. is actually a group of common viruses which cause warts on different parts of the body. There are particular strains of that cause genital warts and some are linked cervical cancer. The medical term for warts in the genital area is condyloma acuminatum. It is usually spread by genital to genital contact. This can include penile penetration, but skin to skin contact is all that is necessary. It can also spread within the genital area after contact; anal lesions are sometimes found in women and men who have had no anal intercourse. Infection after oral sex is rare but has been reported (in some cases lesions were found on vocal cords). Warts on the hand or foot are a different strain of and are not transmissible to someone’s genitals.

Symptoms: The incubation period is one month to many years.

Palpable lump or irregularity of the skin surface (feels rough)
Soft, moist, pink or red swellings, raised or flat â sometimes cauliflower-like
Painful intercourse if the lesions are rubbed
NO SYMPTOMS — The virus is often asymptomatic, especially women because the warts can be located within the vagina and on the cervix. This is why annual Pap smears for sexually active women are so important

Testing and Diagnosis: Genital warts on the penis and the vulva are usually diagnosed by visual inspection. is harder to diagnose on the vagina and cervix. Biopsies (tissue samples) and/or magnification with a special instrument called a colposcope are sometimes used. Acetic acid (vinegar) may be applied to lesions because this will make them turn white so they are easier to identify. For women, can be detected with a Pap smear, and often this is the only way that the diagnosis can be made. Newer Pap smears such as “Thin Prep” are wet smears, and can be used to determine which strains of a person has. Often people wonder why there is no blood test for . A blood test looking for antibodies is available, but it is expensive and the information it provides is not particularly useful. is so common that many people will have the antibodies, and then it would be back to a visual exam to decide the next course of action. Regular Pap smears would be important, but they are already recommended once a year for all women regardless of diagnosis.

Treatment: At present, there is no cure for . For cosmetic purposes, the lesions can be treated by applying Podophyllin (done by a health care practitioner). This treatment must be reapplied over several visits to a clinic, and cannot be used on some lesions. Liquid nitrogen, electrocautery, and lasers can also be used to destroy the warts. Recurrence is common and often related to stress.

Complications: has been strongly linked to cervical cancer in women. All types of can cause mild Pap smear abnormalities that do not have serious consequences, but 15 of the 30-40 identified genital types can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Three of these strains are considered high risk. Cervical cancer is detected through the Pap smear, and is the most compelling reason for women to receive an annual pelvic exam which includes a Pap smear. When caught and treated, cervical cancer, or often pre-cancerous cells of the cervix do not lead to further health complications. Persistent infection with is the key risk for cervical cancer (most women with do not have persistent infections after the first two years).

Prevention: Since can be transmitted skin to skin and because it is the most common STD around, prevention is particularly difficult.

Barrier methods (condoms, dental dams) always help, but are not totally effective due to skin contact beyond the barrier.
Regular testing, especially testing within a monogamous relationship can be effective, though symptoms are not always obvious, and testing for is more complex than just peeing in a cup or getting a blood test.
The virus can be present and transmissible even if not apparent, so barrier methods are still a good idea
Women should have yearly Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer and other precancerous conditions.
Avoid sexual contact with people who have visible symptoms of an STD Since is treatable, but not curable, people with should communicate with their partners about prevention. Risk of transmission can be reduced by avoiding sexual contact when lesions are present.

Additional Info:

The most common type of in the US is type 16, which handily enough is also one of the two strains most likely to cause cancer. (The other is 18). Currently a vaccine for type 16 is in the later stages of development.
At this point, the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to test for the group of high-cancer-risk strains. This is why Thin Prep or other wet smears are so coolâthey can tell you exactly which strain(s) you have and thus approximately how much you should worry.
Multiple infection (one or more strains is common) and that almost everyone will get of some kind in their lifetime. Cervical cancer is dangerous. Worldwide, half the women diagnosed will die. In the US, a third die. Fortunately cervical cancer is extremely slow growing.
The average abnormality takes 10 years to develop into cancer (though a few strains can cause cancer in as little as one year in immuno-compromised individuals), but if treated early is usually not deadly.
Vaden has decided to start offering a “wet-preparation” Pap smear. They’re doing the final “logistical checks” now.


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	General STDs Oral Sex Human Papilloma Virus (Warts) Herpes Chlamydia Crabs and Scabies Gonorrhea Hepatitis Syphilis Human Immunodeficiency Virus Other STDs	Human Papilloma Virus What it is: is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. is also harder to understand than other STDs. is actually a group of common viruses which cause warts on different parts of the body. There are particular strains of that cause genital warts and some are linked cervical cancer. The medical term for warts in the genital area is condyloma acuminatum. It is usually spread by genital to genital contact. This can include penile penetration, but skin to skin contact is all that is necessary. It can also spread within the genital area after contact; anal lesions are sometimes found in women and men who have had no anal intercourse. Infection after oral sex is rare but has been reported (in some cases lesions were found on vocal cords). Warts on the hand or foot are a different strain of and are not transmissible to someone’s genitals. Symptoms: The incubation period is one month to many years. Palpable lump or irregularity of the skin surface (feels rough) Soft, moist, pink or red swellings, raised or flat â sometimes cauliflower-like Painful intercourse if the lesions are rubbed NO SYMPTOMS — The virus is often asymptomatic, especially women because the warts can be located within the vagina and on the cervix. This is why annual Pap smears for sexually active women are so important Testing and Diagnosis: Genital warts on the penis and the vulva are usually diagnosed by visual inspection. is harder to diagnose on the vagina and cervix. Biopsies (tissue samples) and/or magnification with a special instrument called a colposcope are sometimes used. Acetic acid (vinegar) may be applied to lesions because this will make them turn white so they are easier to identify. For women, can be detected with a Pap smear, and often this is the only way that the diagnosis can be made. Newer Pap smears such as “Thin Prep” are wet smears, and can be used to determine which strains of a person has. Often people wonder why there is no blood test for . A blood test looking for antibodies is available, but it is expensive and the information it provides is not particularly useful. is so common that many people will have the antibodies, and then it would be back to a visual exam to decide the next course of action. Regular Pap smears would be important, but they are already recommended once a year for all women regardless of diagnosis. Treatment: At present, there is no cure for . For cosmetic purposes, the lesions can be treated by applying Podophyllin (done by a health care practitioner). This treatment must be reapplied over several visits to a clinic, and cannot be used on some lesions. Liquid nitrogen, electrocautery, and lasers can also be used to destroy the warts. Recurrence is common and often related to stress. Complications: has been strongly linked to cervical cancer in women. All types of can cause mild Pap smear abnormalities that do not have serious consequences, but 15 of the 30-40 identified genital types can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Three of these strains are considered high risk. Cervical cancer is detected through the Pap smear, and is the most compelling reason for women to receive an annual pelvic exam which includes a Pap smear. When caught and treated, cervical cancer, or often pre-cancerous cells of the cervix do not lead to further health complications. Persistent infection with is the key risk for cervical cancer (most women with do not have persistent infections after the first two years). Prevention: Since can be transmitted skin to skin and because it is the most common STD around, prevention is particularly difficult. Barrier methods (condoms, dental dams) always help, but are not totally effective due to skin contact beyond the barrier. Regular testing, especially testing within a monogamous relationship can be effective, though symptoms are not always obvious, and testing for is more complex than just peeing in a cup or getting a blood test. The virus can be present and transmissible even if not apparent, so barrier methods are still a good idea Women should have yearly Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer and other precancerous conditions. Avoid sexual contact with people who have visible symptoms of an STD Since is treatable, but not curable, people with should communicate with their partners about prevention. Risk of transmission can be reduced by avoiding sexual contact when lesions are present. Additional Info: The most common type of in the US is type 16, which handily enough is also one of the two strains most likely to cause cancer. (The other is 18). Currently a vaccine for type 16 is in the later stages of development. At this point, the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to test for the group of high-cancer-risk strains. This is why Thin Prep or other wet smears are so coolâthey can tell you exactly which strain(s) you have and thus approximately how much you should worry. Multiple infection (one or more strains is common) and that almost everyone will get of some kind in their lifetime. Cervical cancer is dangerous. Worldwide, half the women diagnosed will die. In the US, a third die. Fortunately cervical cancer is extremely slow growing. The average abnormality takes 10 years to develop into cancer (though a few strains can cause cancer in as little as one year in immuno-compromised individuals), but if treated early is usually not deadly. Vaden has decided to start offering a “wet-preparation” Pap smear. They’re doing the final “logistical checks” now.