HPV - What is HPV?
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the name of a group of viruses that has more than 70 different types. HPV is sometimes called the wart virus because certain types of HPV cause warts on the hands, feet or genitals.
The types of HPV that cause visible warts on the genitals (vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum) or anus (butt hole) are different types than those that cause warts on the hands and feet. People may have HPV and not have any warts that they can see with naked eye. Still other types may cause cells on the cervix or in the anus to change and, in some cases, develop into cancer over many, many years if left untreated.
HPV - Pictures - How is it spread?
HPV and genital warts are usually spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex with a partner who already has the virus. HPV can infect any person who is sexually active.
A person may not know right away-or even ever-if they have been infected by HPV. Genital warts do not always appear right away. And many people who get HPV never develop warts or any cervical or anal cell changes. It's different for each person. Some people may see warts:
- Within several weeks after having sex with a person who has HPV
- Within several months after having sex with a person who has HPV (this is MOST common)
- Within several years after having sex with a person who has HPV
- NEVER (and they may never know they have HPV)
And since genital warts may not appear until weeks, months or years after the infection it may be hard to know exactly when you got the virus and who passed it on to you.
HPV - Pictures - REMEMBER:
HPV and genital warts are very common. HPV is the most common STD in the United States.
- Many people don't know they have it.
- Many people infect their partners without meaning to.
- You may not know right away that you have an HPV infection or genital warts.
HPV - Pictures - What are the symptoms?
- Sometimes HPV lives in the skin without causing ANY warts or other skin changes that can be seen at all. This is called latent (or hidden) HPV infection.
- Some people will develop visible growths or bumps in the genital area. These are visible genital warts.
- Some people have tiny changes on the skin that can't be seen with the naked eye. This is called subclinical HPV. Doctors and nurses can find these by looking at the skin with special instruments that magnify (make what they look at appear larger).
- Some women to have abnormal cell changes on their cervix, which is found by a Pap smear.
HPV - Some people will know they have HPV when:
- They see warts or bumps in their genitals or their sex partner's genitals
- Their doctor or nurse sees warts that are inside the vagina or in the anus may be found during a physical exam or a pelvic exam
- They have an abnormal Pap smear. An abnormal Pap smear may be the first warning sign to women that HPV is present-but this is NOT a direct test for HPV.
Source: IWannaKnow
