Key takeaways

  • HPV is a common STI, often spread through sexual contact. Most types of HPV do not cause health issues, though some can lead to warts or cancer.
  • While there is no direct treatment for HPV, healthcare professionals can address the health problems it may causes, such as genital warts and HPV-related cancers, through various methods like medication, removal procedures, and regular screening.
  • A person can reduce their risk of contracting HPV by getting vaccinated and using barrier methods of protection during sex.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and there are many different types of HPV. Most do not cause health problems, but some types can cause genital warts and cancers.

This article covers what HPV is, how it spreads, the symptoms it causes, and its treatments. It also explores HPV vaccines and other ways to protect against the infection.

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Credit Image: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Doctors cannot treat HPV itself, but they can treat the health problems it causes.

For example, if a person develops genital warts, a healthcare professional can remove them or prescribe medication to manage them. If untreated, the warts might go away, stay the same, or grow larger or more numerous.

Regular Pap tests help people catch cervical changes early. By following up on any abnormal results, people can treat precancerous changes before they turn into cancer. Focusing on prevention is the best approach.

Healthcare providers can also treat other HPV-related cancers more effectively when they find them early.

Common warts

Over-the-counter salicylic acid products can treat common warts. Do not use these products on warts in the genital area, however.

For some people, a doctor may prescribe one of the following medications:

  • imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara)
  • podofilox (Condylox)
  • trichloroacetic acid
  • podophyllin

Surgical intervention may be necessary.

Genital warts

Do not use over-the-counter products on genital warts. A doctor may recommend:

  • Cryotherapy: This involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze off warts.
  • Electrocautery: This involves using an electrical current to burn away the warts.
  • Laser or light therapy: This involves using a high-powered, targeted beam to remove the unwanted tissue.
  • Surgical removal: A surgeon can cut away warts in an outpatient procedure that involves a local anesthetic.

The best option will depend upon the type and location of the wart. Treatments can remove warts, but the virus will remain in the body and remain transmissible.

Symptoms of HPV may appear years after the initial infection. Some types of the virus cause warts to form, while others can increase the risk of cancer. Specifically, HPV can cause:

Genital warts

A person may have one small skin bump, a cluster of bumps, or stem-like protrusions. These warts can range in size and appearance, and they may be:

  • large or small
  • flat or cauliflower-shaped
  • white, pink, red, purplish-brown, or skin-colored

They can form on the:

  • vulva
  • cervix
  • penis or scrotum
  • anus
  • groin area

These warts can cause itching, burning, and other discomfort.

Other types of warts

HPV can also cause common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts.

Common warts are rough, raised bumps that tend to form on the hands, fingers, and elbows.

Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that often form on the feet, usually on the heels or balls of the feet.

Flat warts, meanwhile, are flat-topped, slightly raised lesions that are darker than the surrounding skin and often appear on the face or neck.

Most people with HPV do not develop cancer, but the infection can increase the risk, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

A high risk strain of HPV can change the way that cells communicate with each other, and this can cause them to grow in an uncontrolled way.

In many people, the immune system defeats unwanted cells. However, if the immune system is unable to do this, the cells can stay in the body and continue to grow, which can lead to cancer in time.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it may take 10–20 years for a tumor to develop.

The infection can increase the risk of developing cancer of the:

Routine screening can lead to an early diagnosis, and receiving prompt treatment can prevent the cancer from spreading.

The best course of treatment will depend on the type of cancer, its stage, and the age and overall health of the person.

HPV is a virus that transmits through skin-to-skin contact, often sexual contact. The infection can develop in anyone who is sexually active.

There may be no symptoms, or the symptoms may appear and disappear. HPV can pass from person to person regardless of whether symptoms are present.

The strains of HPV that cause warts are different from those that increase the risk of cancer.

In children

HPV may cause health problems during pregnancy, and the parent can pass it to the infant through birth or contact.

In children, HPV can range from mild skin issues to serious conditions like respiratory papillomatosis, a rare condition where noncancerous tumors called papillomas grow in the airways.

If a person is pregnant and has HPV, keeping up with prenatal care, staying in close contact with a doctor, and following recommended screenings can help reduce the risk to the person and the fetus.

Most cases of pregnancy with HPV do not cause complications, and the risk to the fetus is low. Still, being informed and proactive is the best way to protect both the health of the parent and the fetus.

If a young child develops HPV symptoms, it may indicate child sexual abuse.

Factors that increase the risk of HPV include:

  • having several sexual partners
  • having sex with someone who has had several sexual partners
  • having sex without using barrier protection, such as a condom or dental dam
  • having areas of broken or damaged skin
  • having contact with warts or surfaces where HPV exposure has occurred
  • not having the HPV vaccination

The risk of cancer is higher if a person has HPV and:

  • has other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia
  • had their first baby at a young age
  • has given birth to many children
  • smokes tobacco products
  • has a weakened immune system

If warts or lesions are visible, a doctor can usually diagnose HPV with a visual examination. Tests can also confirm the presence of the virus.

When to get tested for HPV?

Tests for HPV or related cervical cellular changes include:

A Pap smear, also called a cervical smear, involves collecting and testing cells from the surface of the cervix or vagina. It can reveal any cellular abnormalities that may lead to cancer.

A DNA test can evaluate for high risk types of HPV, and a doctor may use it alongside a Pap smear.

If a test reveals unusual cell changes, a biopsy, which involves taking a sample of affected skin, may be necessary.

There is currently no routine screening for HPV in males, and the range of testing options is limited. Some experts have called for more testing, especially for men who have sex with men.

If a person has receptive anal sex, a doctor may recommend an anal Pap smear.

A person can also test for HPV at home, but it is important to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis. The home test cannot detect cancer.

To reduce the risk of contracting HPV, a person can:

  • Get the HPV vaccine.
  • Use barrier protection, for example, condoms, every time they have sex.
  • Limit the number of their sexual partners.
  • Avoid sexual activity while genital warts are present.

To help prevent the warts from spreading:

  • Avoid touching the wart unnecessarily.
  • Wash hands after touching a wart.
  • Avoid shaving over a wart.
  • If warts are present on the feet, wear footwear in public areas such as pools and locker rooms.
  • Treat and cover a wart until it disappears.
  • Avoid sharing towels and other personal items.

Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend vaccination at the age of 11–12 years to reduce the risk of cervical and other forms of cancer.

This type of vaccine comes in two stages, 6–12 months apart. Currently, three HPV vaccines are available:

People aged up to 26 years who have not received the vaccine should ask their doctors about it.

People aged 27–45 years who have not had the vaccine are eligible for vaccination with Gardasil 9.

Speak with a doctor to see whether vaccination is appropriate. Pregnant people should wait until after delivery to have the vaccination.