Human Papilloma Virus or HPV

What is genital human papilloma virus (HPV) infection?

Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Human papilloma virus is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. More than 30 of these strains are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital area of men and women. Although some types of HPV cause genital warts, many women infected with HPV have no symptoms. Some types of HPV increase a woman’s risk of cervical cancer.
Return to Top

How do I know if I or a partner has HPV?

Most women with a genital HPV infection do not know they are infected. Some women get visible genital warts or have precancerous changes (changes to the cells that indicate cancer may form) in the cervix, vulva, or anus. Genital warts usually appear as soft, moist, pinkish swellings, usually in the genital area. They can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped. After sexual contact with an infected partner, warts may appear within weeks or months, or not at all.

Return to Top

How do women get genital HPV and how is it diagnosed?

The types of HPV that infect the genital area are spread primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have no signs or symptoms, so most infected persons are unaware that they’re infected. Genital warts are very contagious and are spread during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with a partner with genital warts will develop warts, usually within three months of contact.

Most women are diagnosed with HPV on the basis of abnormal Pap tests. For women older than 30 with mild Pap test abnormalities, there is a specific test available to detect HPV DNA, which determines if further tests or treatment is necessary.
Return to Top

What is the treatment for genital HPV?

There is no treatment for the HPV virus itself, but there are treatments for the diseases it can cause (genital warts, cervical cancer). There are several treatments for genital warts, though they often disappear without treatment. Your health care provider has treatment options for genital warts, such as removal or application of topical antiviral medications.

There is an FDA-approved HPV vaccine recommended for girls as young as nine years old. In order for it to be effective for preventing the virus, it must be given before a woman becomes infected. At present only girls and teens may receive the vaccine, but in the future it may be offered to older women. For adult women, the best prevention is to get regular Pap smears.
Return to Top