What are the symptoms of an HPV infection

The human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection. It can stay dormant or show up in the form of warts and benign tumors on external genitals, around the anus, and on the cervix. The growth of warts is caused by virus types 2, 7, 10, 28, and 49, while benign tumors are caused by virus types 6 and 11. Depending on the state of your immune system, the virus can activate itself or stay dormant.

HPV and cancer

There are two types of sexually transmitted HPV. The low-risk type of HPV can cause warts in the genitals, anus, mouth, throat, or surrounding areas. The high-risk type of HPV induces different types of cancer: cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, and some mouth and throat cancers. Infection with high-risk HPV doesn’t cause any symptoms. When high-risk HPV exists for many years, it can lead to cellular changes. If left untreated, these changes can transform into cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 have the highest carcinogenic risk.

How to diagnose HPV infections?

Regardless of gender, HPV infections are diagnosed through the following tests:

Immune-enzyme blood assay. It is effective for early diagnostics when symptoms have not yet developed. This test does not allow for determining the concentration and carcinogenic risks of the infection but can help detect antibodies.

PCR diagnostics shows if the virus is present in the body. The test is performed on blood, saliva, genital mutilations, etc.

The Digene-test helps evaluate the carcinogenic risks of particular strains and assess the amount present in the body. The test is done on a piece of tissue scraped from the cervical canal, vagina, or urethra.

Women are offered the following tests:

Cytological testing (the Pap test) is a microscopic examination from a vaginal swab to identify cells modified by the virus. Even if you don’t have HPV, experts recommend cytological testing to all women from 21 to 65, once every three years. This is done for preventive purposes.

After age 30, testing for high cancer risks is added to cytological testing. If the virus is absent, cytological testing continues once every three years. If the test is positive, testing is then done on a yearly basis.

A colposcopy is a microscopic cervical examination. This test is offered if the cytological screening has shown cells modified by the virus.

Who is at risk?

Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing HPV due to the product cotinine, found in nicotine. Cotinine significantly increases HPV’s pathogenic abilities. Other risk factors include:

• Becoming sexually active early in life
• Prolonged intake of hormonal contraceptives
• A past record of sexually transmitted infections (especially type 2 herpes and chlamydia)
• Having multiple sexual partners
• HIV infections or other immuno-suppressants
• Several childbirths
• Genetic factors.

How is HPV transmitted?

It is transmitted during direct skin-to-skin contact during sex. The highest risk of infection happens during contact with a partner who has clinical symptoms of the disease in the form of genital warts. If warts are absent but the person is infected with the virus, infection risk is lower.

Can you avoid HPV?

Proper use of condoms significantly reduces but doesn’t eliminate the risk of infection. Spermicides increase the likelihood of transmitting viruses to sex partners. Vaccines can protect from several types of HPV, including those which cause cancer. They provide maximum protection when people are vaccinated before being infected by the virus. Consult with your physician to choose an appropriate vaccine.

What are the methods of treatment for HPV?

There is no treatment that can eliminate an HPV infection. It is possible to achieve remission of the disease (i.e., reduce the amount of the virus in the body). Parameters should be controlled and examined annually. We recommend keeping the results of the tests in the Ornament app. All therapeutic efforts aim to eliminate clinical symptoms of HPV, such as warps or cervical pathologies present in atypical cells in smears and biopsies.

HPV and pregnancy

During pregnancy, any changes to the cervix that were present before look much more severe than they are. This condition is related to hormonal changes and increased blood supply to the cervix. Typically, these changes are monitored without any treatment being necessary. After pregnancy, the patient’s state is re-evaluated and treatment is prescribed if needed. The majority of children who were born through natural birth from HPV-infected mothers are healthy.

23 March 2021