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HPV Symptoms AdviceHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is the overall name for a group of sexually transmitted viruses that contains over one hundred different varieties. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 20 million people have an HPV infection currently and about 6.2 million Americans acquire a genital HPV infection each year. However, many of these people carry the latent virus and do not experience outbreaks. While many cases of Human Papillomavirus go undetected and without symptoms, other strains of the virus result in what are commonly known as genital warts appearing on the sexual organs of either males or females. In males, the warts may occur on the penis, scrotum, groin, or anus. In females, they may appear on the vagina, vulva, cervix, or anus. The warts do not look the same in everyone. They can be pink or flesh-colored, large or small, flat or raised, single or in groups, resulting in a cauliflower-like shape. Genital warts do not occur immediately after infection with HPV. While they may occur as soon as three weeks later, it usually takes two to three months for an outbreak to develop. In some cases, it may even be many years after exposure before an individual experiences the active infection. When these warts appear, they may also be accompanied by irritation, itching, and/or bleeding in the genital areas. Human Papillomavirus can also affect women without resulting in genital warts. Certain types of the virus can cause abnormal cervical cells to show up. Abnormal Pap smear tests are more likely to be found in women with this type of HPV. Many women do not realize they have this strain of HPV until it is found during a gynecological examination. A diagnosis of genital warts must be confirmed by a physician after an inspection of the affected areas. Typically, a doctor will request information related to possible risk factors for HPV to confirm the diagnosis. These risk factors include having unprotected sexual contact, multiple or high-risk sexual partners, and/or an impaired immune system. Physicians will also perform a gynecological examination on female patients, including a Pap smear, to further insure a proper diagnosis before beginning a treatment program. |
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