HPV Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment Information
(From the American Social Health Association)

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that is highly prevalent, yet often misunderstood. Recent scientific advances have established that certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. However, this cancer can almost always be prevented through regular screening and treatment of abnormal cell changes. The challenge is to provide focused, much-needed education about HPV without causing undue fear.

Approximately 5.5 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV occur in the U.S. each year, with at least 20 million people currently infected. Direct annual medical costs for treating symptoms of HPV infection in the United States are estimated at $1.6 billion and the cost of the cervical cancer screening program (Pap smears) is $5 billion - $6 billion every year.

Because research linking genital HPV and cervical cancer is relatively new, there is considerable confusion among patients, medical professionals, policy makers and the general public as to the best counseling, screening, treatment and prevention practices. Additionally, care should be taken that men not be left out of these equations as HPV can put them at risk for anal and penile cancers.

Symptoms of HPV

Types of HPV cause genital warts. Genital warts are growths or bumps that appear on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, or on the penis, scrotum, groin (where the genital area meets the inner thigh). They may be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large.

Sometimes HPV causes very tiny changes on the skin that can't be seen with the naked eye. Doctors and nurses can find these "microscopic warts" only with the help of special instruments that magnify (make larger) these small HPV lesions. This is called "subclinical" HPV infection. When HPV lives in the skin without causing any warts or other skin changes, this is called latent HPV infection. Subclinical and latent HPV infection are more common than visible genital warts.

You should go to a doctor or clinic if:

• you notice any unusual growths, bumps
• skin changes on or near your penis, vagina, vulva, or anus;
• you notice any unusual itching, pain or bleeding
• your sex partner(s) tells you that he or she has genital HPV or genital warts.

HPV Prevention

Ways that lower your risk of getting other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)may also work to lower your risk of getting HPV or genital warts:

You can reduce your risk of getting HPV or genital warts by not having sex with anyone or by having sex only with one uninfected partner who has sex only with you. People who have many sex partners are at higher risk of getting STDs.

Latex condoms (rubbers), used the right way from start to finish each time you have sex, can help protect you if they cover the area of the skin with the HPV infection. Condoms should be used with all new or casual sex partners. Because it takes about three to eight months for warts to show up after a person comes in contact with HPV, a new partner may still be at risk of developing genital warts from a previous relationship months into the new relationship. Using condoms for at least eight months is a good idea.

Spermicidal foams, creams and jellies are not proven to act against HPV and genital warts, but they work against some other STDs. They are best used along with condoms, not in place of condoms.

Treatments for Genital Warts

There are several treatments for genital warts. The goal of any treatment should be to remove visible genital warts to get rid of annoying symptoms. No one treatment is best for all cases. There are many ways to treat genital warts. The guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include the following:

Podofilox liquid or gel is a self-applied treatment for external genital warts. It doesn’t cost much, is easy to use and is safe.

Imiquimod cream (Aldara®) is a self-applied treatment for external genital warts, including warts near the anus. It is safe, effective and easy to use. The cream is not harsh on the skin and does not cause scarring like some other treatments.

Cryotherapy (freezing off the wart with liquid nitrogen) is relatively inexpensive, but must be done by a trained doctor or nurse. Podophyllin is a chemical compound that must be applied by a doctor or nurse.

Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is another chemical applied to the surface of the wart by a doctor or a nurse.

Laser therapy (using an intense light to destroy warts) or surgery (cutting off warts) has the advantage of getting rid of warts in a single office visit. However, treatment can cost a lot. Most doctors do not have lasers in their office and the doctor must be well-trained in these methods.

The drug interferon is sometimes used, but less expensive therapies work just as well with fewer side effects.

IMPORTANT: Podofilox, Imiquimod, and TCA are sold by prescription only. Over-the-counter wart treatments should not be used in the genital area. When choosing what treatment to use your doctor or nurse will consider the size, location and number of warts, changes in the warts, patient preference, cost of treatment, convenience, adverse effects, and their own experience with the treatments.

Treatment of HPV

According to the CDC, there is no proven benefit to treating subclinical HPV. But your doctor or nurse should watch carefully for precancerous changes on the cervix that may form.

None of the treatments listed above is a cure for HPV. The virus can remain in nearby skin even after treatment. Because the virus can lie dormant in cells, warts can return months after treatment.

Sometimes warts may come back years after they’ve cleared, but that doesn’t happen very often. Also, when warts return, it is hard to know if the warts are a return of the old warts or a new case. However, once clear for several months, most poeple with genital warts never have any come back.

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