Patient Services: Human Papilloma Virus

There are more than 100 types of HPV, 40 of which can infect the genital area—the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis or scrotum. Other types can produce warts such as plantar warts on the feet and some other common hand warts. HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact, usually during vaginal, anal or oral sex play.

Genital HPV infections are very common, so common that about half of all men and more than three out of four women have HPV at some point in their lives. But most people who have HPV don't know it. Most HPV infections have no harmful effects at all.

Some types of HPV may cause genital warts. These are called low-risk types of HPV.

Some types of HPV don't go away and may cause cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer and other types of genital and throat cancers. These are high-risk types.

Common Symptoms

There aren't any HPV symptoms for high-risk types of HPV in women or men. Most people feel fine even when they have cell changes caused by HPV.

Testing and Treatment

Because HPV is so common and usually goes away on its own, there is often no reason for you to even worry about whether you have it. Most people never know when they have HPV.

• Testing: A woman usually finds out that she has HPV from having an abnormal Pap test. Pap tests are very important tests for finding abnormal cells on the cervix that are caused by HPV. There is a test for women that can determine which types of HPV they may have, but it is only used in certain situations. Your health care provider may recommend the HPV test as a follow-up to a Pap test that detects abnormal cells or when Pap test results are not clear.
  • There is currently no HPV test for men.
• Treatment: There is currently no treatment to cure HPV itself. Most HPV infections are harmless, do not require treatment and go away on their own. Treatment for abnormal cell changes on the cervix caused by HPV is available at certain PPIN locations. Common treatments include colposcopy, cryotherapy and LEEP.
  • Many PPIN health centers offer the HPV vaccine, Gardasil. Gardasil is FDA-approved for girls and women ages nine to 26. In fact, the CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls 11 and 12 years of age. The vaccine is given in three separate injections over the course of six months. Contact your local health center for more information.

Reduce your risk: Practice safer sex!