HPV
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection caused by the human papillomavirus. There are more than 100 types of HPV; some cause warts and others can cause different types of cancer.
Statistics
The CDC reports that about 43 million HPV infections occurred in 2018, with many infections in people in their late teens and early twenties. Genital warts caused by HPV affect roughly 340,000–360,000 people yearly, and about one in 100 sexually active adults in the U.S. has genital warts at any given time. Nearly 12,000 U.S. women develop cervical cancer annually and more than 4,000 women die from cervical cancer even with screening and treatment.
Symptoms
Most HPV infections clear on their own and people often do not have symptoms. High‑risk HPV types can cause cancers of the cervix, anus, penis or throat by inducing abnormal changes in the affected cells; these changes usually do not cause symptoms but can be detected through regular screening tests. Genital warts are small raised bumps around the genitals or anus that may be flat or raised and flesh‑colored or slightly darker than the surrounding skin; they are usually painless but can be itchy and cause discomfort during sexual activity.
Treatment
There is no cure for HPV. Symptoms can be managed by removing genital warts through methods such as cryotherapy (freezing), surgery, or medication, although removal does not eliminate the virus and warts may reappear. For high‑risk HPV types, regular screenings and monitoring are recommended. Abnormal cells may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Prevention
Practicing safer sex by using condoms correctly and consistently during all sexual activity reduces the risk of HPV. Vaccination is also recommended: the HPV vaccine involves two or three shots that protect against types of the virus that cause cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for males and females aged 9–45 and is most effective before sexual activity begins, but it can still benefit those who are already sexually active.
Sources
- Written by Love Hurts, Inc. (Medically reviewed by Kecia Gaither, MD on March 31, 2024)
- CDC: “Genital HPV Infection -- CDC Fact Sheet.”
- Mayo Clinic: “HPV Infection”
- WebMD: “HPV”
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