About the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Condyloma

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common viral infection. More than 100 different types of HPV exist, and about 30 are spread through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, or anal). Some types of HPV can cause genital warts (also known as condyloma), and some types of HPV can cause changes on the cells of a woman's cervix.  HPV is easily spread through sexual contact and up to 75% of young men and women will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives.  

Symptoms

Most people who have HPV do not have symptoms.  One symptom of HPV may be the appearance of genital warts (condyloma).  The warts may be flat or raised, small or large.  They appear alone or in cauliflower-like clusters and are found around the genital area.  

Some types of HPV can cause changes to the cells on the cervix.  Most of these cell changes are temporary and will return to normal.  On rare occasions, the cell changes persist and if untreated, can progress to cervical cancer.  The types of HPV that cause genital warts generally do not cause abnormal changes on the cervix. 

Diagnosing HPV

Diagnosing HPV is very difficult because most people with HPV have no visible symptoms.  This is often frustrating for someone who wants to know for sure if they have or do not have HPV.  One means of looking for HPV is to have your clinician examine your genital area for warts.  HPV can also be detected by a Pap smear if the virus has caused changes to the cells on the cervix.

Because transmitting the HPV virus can happen when no symptoms are present, safer sex practices, such as use of condoms, dental dams, and gloves are advised.

Treating HPV

In most people, HPV will go away on its own over time.  If you have warts, your clinician may apply medication to remove them, or prescribe treatment for you to apply at home.  Treatment to remove genital warts does not necessarily get rid of the virus that caused the warts, therefor transmission of the virus through sexual contact may still be possible.

If you Pap smear shows changes associated with HPV, you may be advised to have a colposcopy, a follow-up exam that uses a microscope like instrument to look at the cervix.  A very small bit of cervical tissue may be taken and sent to a lab for more testing.  After this, your clinician will discuss options for follow up.  Your clinician may recommend treatment or a repeat Pap smear a few months later.  Always make sure you go to your follow-up appointments for treatment or repeat Pap smears.

Eating well, excercising, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress can help your immune system fight the virus.  You should also stop smoking - smoking doubles your risk of getting cancer of the cervix and promotes the growth of warts.  

You should always tell your partner(s) if you have HPV.  Your partner(s) should also have an evaluation with a health care provider.

Currently, there is a vaccine available called Gardasil which can help prevent infection with the four most common types of HPV.  It does not treat current infection with HPV.  At this time, the vaccine is reccomended for girls and young women ages 9-26.  It is a series of three injections.  For more information on the vaccine,click here.

How to Protect Against STIs and HIV/AIDS

The only way to guard against getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not to have sex or to ave sex only with partners who you know are free of infection. If you do have sex, you should use a latex barrier, such as a male condom, afemale condom, or a dental dam, every time. If you are allergic to latex, use polyurethane condoms.  Condoms provide protection against STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Tapestry Health clinicians recommend using such barriers even in combination with other methods of birth control. Latex condoms are preferred to lambskin condoms for the prevention of STIs. 

If you have questions about HPV or any STI, talk to your clinician.