HPV

What is HPV?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 related viruses. Some of them are spread through sexual contact. Most people have been exposed to HPV. Usually, your immune system controls HPV infections, and they go away on their own and don't cause any health problems, but some need treatment.

There are two categories of sexually transmitted HPV. They are called low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV. Sometimes high-risk HPV infections can stay at the cervix (the lower part of a woman's uterus) for many years. This can lead to cell changes. If these changes are not screened for and treated, they may get worse over time and become cancer.

Low-risk HPVM can cause warts on or around your genitals, anus, mouth, or throat.

High-risk HPV can cause various cancers:

• Cervical cancer
• Anal cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, also called throat cancer
• Vulvar cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Penile cancer

Who is at risk for HPV infections?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

HPV infections are very common. Nearly all sexually active people are infected with HPV soon after they become sexually active.

What are the symptoms of HPV infections?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Some people get warts from certain low-risk HPV infections, but the other types (including the high-risk types) have no symptoms.

If a high-risk HPV infection lasts for many years and causes cell changes, you may have symptoms. You may also have symptoms if those cell changes develop into cancer. Which symptoms you have depends on which part of your body is affected.

How are HPV infections diagnosed?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Health care providers can usually find out if you have warts by looking at them.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by a long-lasting infection with a high-risk type of HPV. Screening can prevent cancer by finding out if you need treatment for changes that might happen before cancer, called precancer.

Screening tests for HPV can include:

• For women, there are cervical cancer screening tests that can find changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. As part of the screening, women may have Pap tests (sometimes called a Pap smear), HPV tests, or both. HPV tests use a sample of cervical cells.
• Your provider may also suggest a colposcopy to check for abnormal cells.

What are the treatments for HPV infections?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

An HPV infection itself cannot be treated. Because HPV causes cancer at other places in the body, testing for the HPV virus can be helpful to make other treatment decisions.

People who have HPV-related cancers usually get the same types of treatment as people who have cancers that HPV does not cause. An exception to this is for people who have certain oral and throat cancers. They may have different treatment options.

• HPV infection. Talk to your provider about whether you need other tests and how often you should be checked to prevent cervical cancer.
• Warts. There are medicines that you can apply to a wart. If they don't work, your provider could freeze, burn, or surgically remove them.
• Cell changes caused by infection with high-risk HPV. Treatments may include medicines you apply to the affected area or various surgical procedures.

Can HPV infections be prevented?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading HPV. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Vaccines can protect against several types of HPV, including genital warts and some that can cause cancer. The vaccines provide the most protection when people get them before exposure to the virus. This means that it is best for people to get them before they become sexually active.

Ask your child's provider about when to vaccinate your child against HPV. If you're over age 26 and haven't been vaccinated, talk with your provider about the possible benefits of vaccination.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing HPV is Infectious Diseases, with a general physician / infectious disease specialist as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which exposure or organism is suspected, and what evidence would confirm it?
• Are precautions, vaccination or advice for close contacts relevant to this infection?
• What should happen if symptoms worsen or do not improve as expected?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

Where the source describes treatments, these are an overview of possible care, not a prescription for an individual. Ask which option applies to the confirmed diagnosis, what benefit is expected, what adverse effects to watch for and how progress will be assessed. Availability, approvals and local practice can differ from the country described in the source.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.