What is HPV?

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the virus that causes genital warts (called condyloma). Genital HPV can be spread from person to person during sexual contact. Some strains of HPV are responsible for abnormal cell changes of the cervix (called dysplasia).

• HPV can cause genital warts. Even if you do not have the warts, you can have the virus and can give HPV to another person during sexual contact.
• It's difficult to know when you became infected. You can have the virus for years without any symptoms.
• At this time, HPV has no cure. The warts and the dysplasia can be treated, but the virus may remain in your body. Treatment will relieve the symptoms and help prevent the spread of HPV.
• If you have HPV, tell your partner(s). A partner who has warts will also need treatment.
• Some strains of HPV infections increase a woman's risk of cancer of the cervix.

Finding visible warts is one way of knowing. Abnormal cell changes of the cervix (dysplasia) may also be found with a Pap test. In either case, your doctor may recommend that a 'colposcopy' examination be done. During a colposcopy, a viewing "scope" is used for a closer look at your cervix, vagina and vulva. A small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken and examined in a laboratory.

Genital HPV may infect any part of your genital area. This includes your vulva, vagina, cervix, urethra and anus. In men, warts most often appear on the penis, scrotum and/or anus.

Genital warts often appear as small bumps. You may not have symptoms or you may notice some burning, itching, pain or bleeding.

Genital warts need to be treated because HPV is more easily spread to others when warts are present. There are different methods of treating genital warts:

• Trichloroacetic Acid - can be painted on the warts to remove them.
• Cryotherapy - warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen.
• Electrosurgery (LEEP) - an electric current passing through a thin wire loop removes the warts.
• Laser - a high intensity beam of light is used to remove the warts.

• Cryotherapy - abnormal cells of the cervix are destroyed by freezing with liquid Nitrogen.
• Electrosurgery (LEEP) - an electric current passing through a thin wire loop removes the abnormal cells.
• Laser - a high intensity beam of light is used to remove the abnormal cells.
• Other - Cone biopsy or hysterectomy.

Even after the warts and the abnormal cells are removed, the HPV may remain in your body. The virus can produce new warts so you may need to be treated again.

Some strains of the HPV may lead to cancer of the cervix if not treated. It is very important to have a Pap test done regularly and to have any warts and abnormal cells treated.

You can help prevent the spread of HPV:

• Use condoms during sexual contact; this prevents the spread of other types of sexually transmitted diseases as well.
• Limit your number of sexual partners.
• Avoid having sex with someone who has genital warts.
• Practice 'SAFE-sex'.