Human papillomavirus(HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
In as many as nine cases out of 10, HPV doesn’t cause health issues.
And it usually clears up on its own within two years.
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This article discusses symptoms and complications of HPV, as well as how to prevent getting or spreading it.
Most of the time, the immune system can erase the virus without symptoms or complications.
HPV testing can take place along with your Pap test.
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There’s also an effectiveHPV vaccinegenerally recommended for people between the ages of 11 and 26.
Common Symptoms of HPV Infection
The most common thing is to have no symptoms at all.
Certain low-risk HPV infections can cause a variety ofwarts.Viral warts arebenign, but they can be a nuisance.
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Warts often resolve on their own within one to five years.
Genital Warts
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Genital wartscan be small or large and raised or flat.
They can be dome-shaped or resemble small cauliflowers.
Genital warts can appear on the:
Genital warts sometimes cause itching.
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Depending on their location, they can cause pain when you move your bowels or when you have sex.
The bumps are rough and may have black dots that look like seeds.
They can range from the size of a pinhead to the size of a pea.
Plantar Warts
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Plantar wartsappear on the soles of the feet.
They’re hard and can grow rather large.
They sometimes have black dots and appear in clusters (mosaic warts).
Flat Warts
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Flat wartsare smooth, slightly raised, and small, usually just millimeters wide.
These warts can grow anywhere but tend to appear on the face, especially the forehead and cheeks.
Men may get these in the beard area, and women may get them on their legs.
Flat warts typically appear in multiples.
you’re free to get 20 to 100 at a time.
Cervical cancer happens when the immune system can’t clear high-risk strains of HPV.
Over time, these cells can turnprecancerous, then cancerous.
Routine Pap screening can allow healthcare providers to detect and remove precancerous cells before they become cancerous.
And HPV vaccines can prevent the types of HPV most likely to cause cervical cancer.
The best time to get vaccinated is between 9 and 26.
Vaccines won’t help if you’re already infected.
Summary
HPV is the most common STI.
It spreads so easily that just about every sexually active person gets it at some point.
Most of the time, the immune system can scrub the infection without symptoms or complications.
However, some low-risk strains can cause troublesome warts.
HPV vaccines effectively prevent the strains most likely to cause warts and cancer.
There are no HPV tests for men, but women can get tested along with a Pap test.
Speak to a healthcare provider if you think you may have HPV or have screening questions.
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