TL;DR:
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus): Over 100 types classified as low-oncogenic (causing warts and genital lesions) or high-oncogenic (linked to cancers like cervical, penile, oral, and throat cancers).
- Transmission: Spread through unprotected sexual contact, direct contact with warts, or using public facilities (e.g., swimming pools).
- Symptoms: Often asymptomatic initially; can cause warts (hands, feet, genitals) and potentially cancer.
- Treatment: Warts treated with over-the-counter meds, cryotherapy, or medical procedures; cancer requires advanced treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
- Prevention: Practice hygiene, limit partners, use condoms (60% effective), and vaccinate (3 doses, ideal before sexual activity, ages 11–18).
- Early detection via HPV tests and cytological exams is crucial due to asymptomatic nature.
The HPV virus is increasingly affecting young people. It is very dangerous because it can cause many life-threatening human diseases. It comes in dozens of types and can run a mild course or pose a serious threat to human life. Therefore, it is worth knowing what symptoms HPV gives, how to avoid infection and how to deal with the disease.
What is the HPV virus?
HPV, or human papilloma virus, belongs to the papillomavirus family and comes in more than 100 different types. Each variety of the virus has a different effect on the formation of urogenital infections in women and men. HPV is divided into two groups:
- low-oncogenic,
- high-oncogenic.
HPV from the first group is the cause of such ailments as warts, condylomata and flat. These lesions affect the male and female genital areas. They can appear in the vagina, cervix and vulva, while HPV symptoms in men appear in the perineal area, scrotum and penis. Moreover, warts can also appear on the feet and hands. Because the low-noncogenic HPV virus often manifests with warts, it is also referred to as papillomatosis. human papillomavirus hpv However, with high-oncogenic HPV the situation is more serious. All because it can lead to cancers of the genitals, head and neck.
How can you get infected?
Most often HPV infection occurs through sexual intercourse. During intercourse, especially without condom protection. Usually it is young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who are victims of the human papilloma virus, due to an active sex life. Another way to become infected is through direct skin contact with another person’s wart, which is most often found on the feet and hands. In addition, the risk of infection is higher when using public places such as swimming pools or gyms.
HPV virus symptoms and the diseases it causes
Human papillomavirus in its initial stage of development does not produce symptoms. Therefore, an infected person may not be aware of it for a long time. For this reason, special detection tests are mainly used in diagnosis. Often people with strong immune systems fight the virus themselves without knowing they are infected.
The first worrisome lesion caused by HPV is usually warts, which appear on the surface of the hands and feet. They are small nodules with a hard texture. If left untreated, they can spread and form new clusters, which can affect the discomfort and pain experienced in daily activities. Effective treatment of warts is possible in the first stage of the disease. HPV symptoms also include condylomas, which are also warts. They occur in the external genital and anal areas of both men and women. It can also happen that these types of warts appear in the oral cavity and throat mucosa. If left untreated, they can cause tumors and grow into surrounding tissues. HPV also contributes to the development of cancer. Since it does not produce symptoms, early diagnosis of cancers caused by its cause is very difficult. The most common cancers to deal with are cervical, penile, oral and even throat cancer. In addition, cancer caused by human papillomavirus often metastasizes in the late stage of the disease and develops quite aggressively.
How to treat the HPV virus?
Depending on the disease that the human papilloma virus causes, treatment varies. In the case of warts, you can undertake treatment on your own by buying special preparations and cryotherapy kits, or spot freezing, at the pharmacy. If such treatment is unsuccessful, you should immediately see a doctor. On the other hand, endocarcinomas are treated with special prescription preparations.
Therefore, it is important to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. In addition, cryotherapy, laser therapy or surgical treatments are helpful in the fight against this type of warts. In the case of cancer, treatment is much more complicated, and everything depends on the extent of the cancer and its type. However, chemotherapy or radiation therapy are commonly used. In some cases, surgery proves to be an effective method.
How to prevent infections?
Of course, the most effective form of HPV prevention is to avoid direct contact with people who have warts. In addition, in public places, it is a good idea to maintain proper hygiene and, especially at swimming pools, take care of footwear. You should also take precautions during sexual intercourse and limit the number of partners. It’s also a good idea to use condoms, which provide 60% protection against infection. hpv vaccine Another method of prevention is to delay the start of sexual life or get vaccinated before starting it. HPV vaccine is for girls. Usually, preventive vaccination is done between the ages of 11 and 12 or before the age of 18. What’s more, the vaccination is done in three series, because this way of administering the vaccine gives the greatest effectiveness. Of course, the vaccination is preceded by a cytological examination to rule out possible cervical cancer.
Conclusion
HPV is a serious virus, causing warts and, in severe cases, cancer. It spreads through sexual contact or skin contact with warts, and symptoms can go unnoticed. Prevention, including vaccines, safe practices, and hygiene, is the best defense. Early detection and treatment, like cryotherapy or medical care, can manage symptoms and reduce health risks. Taking action and staying informed can protect yourself and others from this preventable threat.
