{"id":1407,"date":"2022-05-19T14:11:37","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T14:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/?p=1407"},"modified":"2022-06-06T13:39:51","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T13:39:51","slug":"human-papillomavirus-hpv-symptoms-testing-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/human-papillomavirus-hpv-symptoms-testing-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Human papillomavirus (HPV): Symptoms, Testing and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most types of this virus are harmless and practically undetectable, genital HPV can be a high-risk infection and the main culprit of most cervical and anal cancer cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, it\u2019s estimated that about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/cancer\/hpv\/statistics\/index.htm#:~:text=Based%20on%20data%20from%202014,women%2C%20and%2020%2C424%20among%20men.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">46,100 HPV-related cancers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> occur each year in the United States, with both men and women being at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we\u2019ll guide you through the most common symptoms of HPV, discuss how it is transmitted, whether it\u2019s preventable, and help you understand possible treatment options and the importance of early detection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is HPV?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.2165\/00128071-200506060-00004\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human papillomavirus (HPV<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is a widely common virus that doesn\u2019t pose a threat in most cases. With more than 150 known types, exposure to HPV is almost unavoidable. It essentially affects the skin but can only live in cells called <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">squamous epithelial cells<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (mostly found on mucosal skin surfaces). HPV will thus usually affect:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vaginal cannal, cervix, and vulva<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anal and rectal mucosa<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Penile foreskin and scrotum<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mucous membrane of the nose, mouth, and throat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The trachea and bronchi<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most infections go away on their own in the span of two years without any notable symptoms or health complications. However, sexually-transmitted HPV can manifest in the form of genital warts (papillomas) or cause abnormal cell mutations that can lead to cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1412\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV-200x117.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV-400x233.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV-600x350.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV-800x466.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/What-is-HPV.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>How is HPV transmitted, and is it common?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2018 it was estimated that a whopping 45.2 million Americans in the US were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/topics\/5094\/human-papillomavirus-hpv-in-the-us\/#dossierKeyfigures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infected with HPV<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and each year 14 million new infections occur. Essentially, since it\u2019s very common and spreads quickly, most men and women will get a benign HPV infection in their lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HPV is not transmitted through bodily fluids and blood but rather through direct skin-to-skin contact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contrary to popular belief, penetrative sex is not the only way of transmission. In fact, any type of genital skin contact with an HPV infected person (including oral or anal sex or sharing sex toys or intimate items) could be enough to catch the virus, even if the person isn\u2019t experiencing any symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A common myth is that only individuals who have had many sexual partners are prone to STIs, but the truth is that even people who are sexually active for the first time are just as exposed to HPV as others.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>HPV symptoms in men<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Men do get infected with HPV; however, they most often don\u2019t express any noticeable symptoms. Infected men won\u2019t show any specific telltale signs of this STI. High-risk HPV types can cause visible genital and anal warts that often go unnoticed by health practitioners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since there\u2019s no standardized treatment for asymptomatic HPV, most infections in men pass by on their own, but there is still a significant risk of transmission.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Men are not safe from potential anal or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s00345-008-0302-z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">penile cancer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> induced by this virus. Therefore regular checkups and prevention are necessary for a positive outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>HPV and women: symptoms and risks<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HPV symptoms in women will depend on the type of HPV infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some low-risk HPV types can cause genital or cervical warts. These skin protrusions usually appear as flesh-colored, raised, or flat bumps that are sometimes even prone to bleeding, so they\u2019re often misinterpreted as menstrual spotting. Genital warts can occur months after the infection contact and can sometimes get disregarded since there are no other indications of the virus that would call for testing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, high-risk HPV types usually don\u2019t manifest in symptoms at all but can cause changes to the cells in the cervix, vulva, and anus, leading to cancer. All cases of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0140673607614160?casa_token=ejjhfPBRNW0AAAAA:gn7aRcdgzNSAAyoIkCVv2n-3u9W8tKoHhC4-XzyOKZvoWgS9DqX_n6fr4zQGk2uHHHD5Oyungg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cervical cancer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are caused by HPV. However, not all women who are HPV positive will develop cancer. Regular monitoring of high-risk HPV infections can significantly lower the chances of getting cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced cervical and vaginal cancer, however, may be related to symptoms such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncommon bleeding after sex or unrelated to the cycle<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unusual vaginal HPV discharge<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharp pelvic pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain during intercourse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urinary discomfort and bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extreme weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Testing and diagnosing: How do I know I have HPV?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since they don\u2019t develop into cancer, low-risk HPV infections are usually diagnosed by examining genital warts, so no testing is needed. Men are not subjected to HPV testing. In fact, there is no FDA-approved test for HPV in men since they usually recover without any significant health consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the increasing concerns about cervical cancer development, testing for <\/span><b>high-risk HPV<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in women has become a standardized practice and is highly recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first stage in detecting HPV is regular Pap testing which should be done at least once a year as a part of regular gynecologist checkups. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/publications\/dictionaries\/cancer-terms\/def\/pap-smear\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pap smear<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t test for HPV but instead checks if there are any cell abnormalities in the cervix. Healthy women under 30 are not routinely subjected to HPV testing. However, your OB-GYN may perform an HPV test if your Pap smear shows irregularities. In that case, reliable facilities, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/std-testing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STD testing in Miami, Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, will perform a routine HPV test by collecting cervix cells to check for the virus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, women over 30, especially in their 40s, are at a higher risk of cervical cancer, so co-testing (both pap test and HPV test) may be a part of your examination.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detecting high-risk HPV is crucial for managing precancerous and early-stage cancer cases, opening a chance for encouraging and promising prognosis in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1413\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2022\/05\/Testing-and-diagnosing-How-do-I-know-I-have-HPV.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>HPV prevention: Can I protect myself from HPV?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nature of HPV quick-spreading still makes it a highly transmissive disease, and you can\u2019t fully protect yourself from it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, there are ways you can increase your chances of staying healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid any contact with an HPV-positive person that includes the areas that could be infected, such as the mouth, anus, and vaginal area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using condoms during intercourse may help by significantly lowering the risk of an HPV infection, but it still isn\u2019t 100% effective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limiting the number of sexual partners will not make you immune to HPV, but it may lower the chances of getting in contact with an infected person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HPV vaccines are a reliable preventative measure designed to protect from genital warts and cancer-inducing HPV types but are only effective when given at an early age (usually 9-12 year-olds). Depending on your region or country, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/healthy\/cancer-causes\/infectious-agents\/hpv\/hpv-vaccines.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HPV vaccine administration regulations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will differ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, doing regular OB-GYN checkups and Pap tests to stay on the safe side is the most reliable method of HPV-related cancer prevention. Finding a trustworthy specialist like the ones at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obstetrics and Gynecology In South Miami<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is essential for developing a healthy and responsible approach to regular testing and opening the opportunity for early disease detection.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While most types of this virus are harmless and practically undetectable, genital HPV can be a high-risk infection and the main culprit of most cervical and anal cancer cases.\u00a0 In fact, it\u2019s estimated that about 46,100 HPV-related cancers occur each year in the United States, with both men and women being at risk. In this  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[162,161],"tags":[165,167,164,163,166],"class_list":["post-1407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hpv","category-human-papillomavirus","tag-how-is-hpv-transmitted","tag-hpv-discharge","tag-hpv-symptoms-in-women","tag-human-papillomavirus","tag-symptoms-of-hpv"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}