HPV is a common virus that affects different parts of the body. HPV affects the genitals, including the vulva, penis, cervix, and rectum. They are more than one hundred varieties of HPV, and their symptoms and effects vary from one type to another. Below is what can happen if you have HPV.
HPV mostly does not have recognizable symptoms. Most people having HPV do not realize it and have no problems. Sometimes the virus can cause painless growths around your genital, called warts.
Genital warts appear like stem-like protrusions and affect both the male and female genitals. In males, genital warts appear around the penis, anus, and scrotum, while females appear around the cervix or the vagina. The genital, in most cases, do not cause pain or discomfort though they may itch or feel tender.
Skin-to-skin contact is the main cause of the HPV virus. Cuts and tears in the skin may serve as the entry of HPV infection into the body. Covering the small wounds in our skin may help prevent the spread of HPV. Sexual intercourse, anal sex, and other skin contacts in the genital areas also transmit HPV genital infection.
Warts are very contagious, and direct contact with a wart spreads them. They can also apply when someone touches something that has already touched a wart. Pregnant women risk infecting their babies with HPV infection, especially when one has warts.
HPV virus is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Most often, cervical cancer takes longer to appear after an HPV infection. Early cancer does not have noticeable symptoms and may take longer before recognition. Vaccination against HPV infection protects women from getting cervical cancer.
Women need regular screening to detect precancerous changes in the cervix since the early stage does not have symptoms. Women need to have a routine pap test for protection. The test helps to detect precancerous changes and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is preventable or cured when the precancerous appear and get treated before cancer develops.
HPV does not have a blood test and so HPV testing is part of cervical screening. When screening, small cell samples from the cervix get tested for HPV. Screening is done for all women, and this helps protect women against cervical cancer.
It tests the samples to know the certain types of HPV that can cause a change in the cervix. The high-risk type of HPV has a high chance of changing the cervix. In case of HPV infection in the samples, rechecking the cervix is essential to ensure there are no changes. People with HPV get treatment immediately before it gets a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
HPV has no full protection, but some precautions can help. Moreover, using condoms while having sexual intercourse. Although condoms do not fully cover all the skin around your genitals, you at least protect yourself from getting the infection and other related diseases.
Furthermore, the HPV vaccine also protects against types of HPV that cause genital warts, cervical cancer, and other cancers. The HPV vaccine has three doses. It is advisable to have both vaccines to be appropriately protected.
HPV virus does not have a cure for itself, but in most cases, the infection goes away. The immune system clears most of the HPV infections in the body. The treatment aims to relieve pain and remove visible warts and abnormal cells that may appear in the cervix.
The treatments include prescription cream and cryosurgery, freezing warts off with liquid nitrogen. Moreover, electrocautery burning warts off with electric current can also treat HPV. In some cases, there is no treatment for the infection. Your doctor only needs to watch you closely during regular screening.
HPV in men is difficult to diagnose since the infection has no symptoms except for warts. In men, genital warts often appear on the penis, scrotum, and anus. Men get diagnosed when genital warts appear. HPV has no symptoms, and in most cases, there is no treatment. Therefore, men with HPV do not get treatment.
HPV does not place men at much risk for health problems. However, men need prevention from the virus since it links to uncommon cancers such as anal, head, and throat.
Since HPV is a common infection, you must follow all the necessary precautions to prevent its spread. It is essential to seek medical attention in case you have an infection.
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