What is HPV? Learn about its causes, symptoms, treatment

• HPV is a virus transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or sexual intercourse. It is found in both men and women, particularly in the genital area, anus, mouth, and throat. It is one of the causes of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HPV is divided into two types: low-risk and high-risk.
• HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or any form of sexual intercourse, scratches, or contaminated objects. Mothers can also transmit the virus to their children during childbirth.
• HPV vaccination helps boost immunity to prevent HPV infection, including protection against conditions caused by high-risk strains, such as cervical cancer and genital warts.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet many people "contact them unknowingly" because it often shows no symptoms in the early stages. However, some strains can increase the risk of several types of cancer, especially cervical cancer. Understanding HPV correctly—its causes, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention—will help reduce risk and improve health, allowing you to properly care for yourself and your loved ones and increase your safety.

What is HPV?

If you're wondering what HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is, it's actually a virus transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or sexual intercourse. It's commonly found in both men and women, especially in the genital area, anus, mouth, and throat. It's one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with over 100 strains, but strains 16 and 18 are high-risk for causing cancer and other serious conditions.

Furthermore, HPV often doesn't show symptoms, allowing infected individuals to unknowingly spread the infection. If left untreated, it can develop into cancer later on.

How many types of HPV are there?

Currently, more than 200 types of HPV have been identified, and they can be categorized into several main groups based on their risk of causing disease:

1.Low-risk HPV

These strains don't cause cancer but can cause skin and mucous membrane abnormalities, such as:

• Genital warts
• General skin warts

Common types include HPV 6 and HPV 11, which are the main causes of genital warts, although they are not life-threatening. However, it is easily transmissible and can recur.

2.High-risk HPV groups

These are HPV strains associated with cervical cancer and other cancers such as anal, vaginal, oral, and throat cancer. Common types include HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. HPV 16 and 18, in particular, are the leading causes of most cervical cancers.

What are the causes of HPV infection?

Diseases caused by the HPV virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, wounds, or contaminated objects from infected individuals. Let's look at who is at risk besides how HPV is transmitted.

How is HPV transmitted?

The HPV virus is easily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or any form of sexual intercourse. Even with only one sexual partner, infection can occur through scratches or contaminated objects. A mother infected with HPV can also transmit the virus to her child during childbirth.

Who is at risk of HPV infection?

• Individuals who frequently change sexual partners, both male and female.
• Children and adolescents, especially those in their reproductive years, who engage in unprotected sexual activity at a young age.
• Individuals with open wounds or scratches on their skin.
• Individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those infected with HIV or taking immunosuppressant drugs.
• Individuals who have direct contact with the virus, such as touching warts or contaminated objects without protection.
• Individuals who share public spaces with others, such as public showers or swimming pools.
• Individuals who do not use condoms during sexual intercourse.
• Individuals with a history of early pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Many people infected with HPV show no symptoms, and the body can clear the infection on its own within 1-2 years. Noticeable symptoms may begin to appear, including:

• Warts on the skin or genitals
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Pain during intercourse
• Chronic lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• Weight loss, fatigue, tiredness
• Penis abnormalities, such as lumps or sores that are not noticeable
• Swollen or itchy lymph nodes in the groin (in men)

What are some diseases related to HPV?

HPV-related diseases include various conditions ranging from body warts to different types of cancer in both men and women. These include:

Cervical Cancer

In Thailand, cervical cancer remains a significant public health problem, with an average of 7 women dying from it daily. It is the most common cancer in Thai women aged 35-50. The main reason is often detection in advanced stages, leading to complex treatment and a reduced chance of recovery. In the early stages, it often shows no symptoms but can be detected through a Pap Smear. If it progresses to an advanced stage, symptoms may include abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, or blood in the urine, and it may spread to other organs.

Treatment includes surgery in the early stages and radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy in advanced stages. This disease can be prevented by avoiding multiple sexual partners, using condoms, and most importantly, every sexually active woman should undergo a Pap Smear at least once a year to detect abnormal cells in the precancerous stage.

Other Cancers Associated with HPV

• Anal cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Vagina cancer
• Penis cancer
• Oral/Throat cancer

HPV Diagnosis

1. Cervical screening (Pap smear)
2. HPV DNA testing (HPV test)
3. Combined Pap smear and HPV test (Co-testing)
4. Colposcopy
5. Biopsy
6. Medical examination of lesions or warts

HPV Treatment Guidelines

1. Monitor and follow-up screenings as scheduled by your doctor, such as Pap Smear or HPV DNA test, to detect cellular abnormalities in the early stages.
2. Maintain good personal hygiene, keeping your body and genitals clean, reducing moisture and the risk of secondary infections.
3. Use condoms every time you have sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of transmission, although it is not 100% effective.
4. Avoid risky behaviors such as having multiple sexual partners or unprotected sex.
5. Strengthen your immune system, get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.
6. Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Because smoking and alcohol weaken the immune system and increase the risk of cancer.
7. Avoid picking or destroying warts yourself, as this can lead to increased infection, spreading the sores, and transmitting the infection to other areas.
8. Get vaccinated against HPV (if you haven't already). Even if you've been infected before, the vaccine helps protect against other strains you haven't been exposed to and reduces future risk.

How to Care for Yourself When Infected with HPV

• Strictly follow your doctor's instructions. Attend regular check-ups and treatments to monitor for cellular abnormalities and complications.
• Maintain good personal hygiene. Keep your body and genitals clean, avoid dampness, and do not share personal items with others.
• Reduce the risk of transmission. Use condoms every time you have sexual intercourse and avoid intercourse if you have sores or warts.
• Strengthen your immune system. Eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and reduce stress.
• Avoid triggers that can worsen the infection, such as smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and risky behaviors that weaken the immune system.
• Closely monitor your symptoms. Observe for any abnormalities such as unusual bleeding, chronic sores, or unusual lumps, and see a doctor immediately.
• Consider the HPV vaccine if you have never been vaccinated. The vaccine can help protect against other at-risk strains and reduce the risk of future illnesses.

HPV Prevention

• HPV vaccination is a highly effective way to prevent HPV infection, reducing the risk of cancer-causing and wart-causing strains. It's recommended to get vaccinated at a young age or before becoming sexually active, but adults can also receive it.
• Using condoms every time you have sex helps reduce the chance of infection and transmission, although it's not 100% effective.
• Avoid having multiple sexual partners and risky behaviors to reduce exposure to HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Get screened regularly. Women should have Pap Smear or HPV DNA tests as recommended by their doctor to detect abnormalities early.
• Quit smoking and maintain good health. Smoking weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of infection and cancer.
• Maintain proper genital hygiene. Keep the area clean, dry, and avoid using irritating products.
• Avoid direct contact with lesions or warts to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to yourself and others.

What should I do if I test positive for HPV?

If you test positive for HPV, consult a doctor immediately to assess the risk and plan treatment. Typically, your doctor will recommend a Pap Smear to check for cellular abnormalities. If a high-risk strain is detected, close monitoring may be necessary, along with a colposcopy. Treatment options such as cryotherapy or LEEP (Lipeptic Erysipelas) may be used if precancerous lesions are found. However, asymptomatic infections often resolve on their own.

Can HPV be cured?

Both bodies with strong immune systems can eliminate HPV within 1-2 years. However, if the infection persists and is a high-risk strain, it can develop into warts or cervical cancer, requiring treatment such as surgical removal of warts or treatment of abnormal cells. Even after recovery, reinfection is possible.

Do men have HPV?

Men can also contract HPV, most often through unwitting sexual intercourse. This infection can cause genital warts or develop into cancers in the future, such as anal cancer, as well as oral and throat cancers.

What is the HPV vaccine, or cervical cancer vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to prevent infection with the HPV virus, the main cause of cervical cancer, especially strains 16 and 18, which can cause up to 70% of cancers. It also helps prevent anal, oral, and genital cancers, as well as genital warts in both men and women.

Therefore, vaccination is an effective way to prevent conditions caused by high-risk HPV strains. It can be administered from the age of 9 years and older. The first dose can be given on a convenient date, the second dose approximately 2 months after the first, and the third dose 6 months after the first. Vaccination at a younger age and for those who have never been sexually active is more effective.

Types of HPV Vaccines

• Bivalent vaccine (Cervarix®): Covers strains 16 and 18, the main causes of cervical cancer.
• Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil®): Protects against strains 6, 11, 16, and 18.
• Nonavalent vaccine (Gardasil 9®): Protects against strains 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. Provides up to 90% protection against cervical cancer and other related cancers.

HPV Screening or Vaccination at Vibhavadi Hospital

HPV infection is a major cause of death among women. Screening and vaccination are effective ways to prevent HPV infection. The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Vibhavadi Hospital provides sincere care with expert physicians who understand the problem, offer consultations, diagnoses, provide self-care advice for HPV infection, and treat patients effectively using modern equipment.

Summary

HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that causes warts and various cancers in both men and women. High-risk strains 16 and 18 are the leading causes of cervical cancer. While some individuals may clear the virus on their own, chronic infections often show no symptoms initially. Therefore, screening tests like Pap Smear are crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.

If detected, strictly follow your doctor's advice to prevent further spread. The most effective prevention is the HPV vaccine, recommended starting at age 9, combined with the use of condoms during sexual intercourse to reduce risk. For those seeking HPV screening or vaccination, Vibhavadi Hospital, with its experienced doctors and state-of-the-art equipment, offers accurate diagnosis and treatment for confident and robust health.