HPV infection: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc.

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Definition of HPV infection

As the name implies, infection human papillomavirus is a condition caused by the HPV virus.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) itself is a virus that is usually spread through sexual contact or through skin contact.

There are more than 100 types of HPV virus, some of which can cause genital warts and cancer.

The only thing that can protect yourself from venereal disease due to HPV is to get the HPV vaccine.

How common is this condition?

HPV is an infection that can affect anyone, both men and women.

The HPV virus that causes warts usually appears in adolescents and young adults who are sexually active.

Infection human papillomavirus most common in men aged 20-24 years and women aged 16-19 years.

Signs and symptoms of HPV infection

HPV infection is a condition that often resolves without treatment.

However, some conditions of HPV infection can remain, causing warts or cancer on the genitals.

The signs and symptoms of HPV infection are as follows:

Symptoms of genital warts due to HPV infection

Genital warts may start as small sores.

The sores then open, bleed, become warts, dry up, until they heal after a few days.

You may find it difficult to distinguish warts from pimples or ingrown hairs (ingrown hair).

Symptoms of cancer due to HPV infection

Most cases of cancer are due to infection human papillomavirus (HPV) is cervical cancer, throat cancer, and tongue cancer.

Signs of HPV causing cervical cancer may include bleeding or discharge from the vagina.

Bleeding after sex or at menopause can also be a sign of cervical cancer.

In addition, there are signs of infection human papillomavirus others such as pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area and during intercourse.

There may be other symptoms of HPV not listed above. Consult your doctor if you want more information.

When to see a doctor

Visit a doctor immediately if you suspect you or your partner has this infection.

Even if you don't have any symptoms, you can seek advice about self-examination and what to do if you have HPV.

Learn more about the diagnosis of this infection.

Avoid having sex until you no longer have the infection to prevent spreading the disease to other people.

Causes of HPV infection

HPV infection is caused by a virus human pappillomavirus . HPV is a sexually transmitted infection.

The HPV infection virus can still be spread even if the person who carries the virus has no symptoms or does not feel sick.

Viruses types 6, 11, 16, and 18 cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

Warts and cervical cancer can form within a few years after contracting HPV infection.

If you are pregnant and have HPV infection with genital warts, there is a chance that the baby could become infected.

In rare cases, the infection can affect the baby's vocal cords.

Risk factors for HPV infection

Some of the risk factors that increase your risk of developing the HPV virus are:

1. Frequently changing sexual partners

The more or more often you change partners to have sex, the greater your chance of getting HPV infection.

2. Age

Genital warts caused by infection with the HPV virus are most common in patients in their teens and early 20s.

3. The body's immune system is weakened

People with poor immune systems are more susceptible to many kinds of viral infections, including HPV.

These opportunities are even greater for people with HIV / AIDS.

4. Have open wounds

Parts of the skin that have open wounds or have damaged tissue are more prone to contract HPV.

5. Direct contact or exposure

Direct contact is touching warts or certain sources infested with the HPV virus, for example swimming in public swimming pools.

Diagnosis of HPV infection

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Currently there are venereal disease tests to check for possible infection human papillomavirus (HPV) in the human body.

Most patients know they are infected if warts or cancerous tumors are found on the test.

Several ways to diagnose genital warts and cancer, namely:

1. Genital warts

The doctor will diagnose warts by looking at the skin condition.

If HPV infection cannot be detected, the doctor will take a sample of the wart (biopsy) to be examined under a microscope.

2. Cancer

The IVA test can be done as an initial screening to find out the presence of this HPV virus.

Pap test (cervical cytology) will help detect signs before cancer as well as changes in cervical cells that may become cervical cancer.

It is recommended that you start having a Pap test at the age of 21.

Treatment options for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Infection human papillomavirus is a condition that can be cured and treated based on the cause.

Some of the treatments for HPV infection according to the disease are as follows:

1. Genital warts

The simplest way to cure warts is to use a gentle foamy soap / special cream.

To treat cystic acne, you can also use ointments to get rid of pimples.

2. Cancer

The doctor will plan treatment depending on the progress of the tumor and the patient's health.

For cancer, you need to get tested regularly to prevent the risk of disease before the tumor forms.

HPV infection complications

HPV virus infection can cause several health problems. The problem that generally occurs is cervical cancer.

Even so, this virus can also cause various other health problems that also require special attention.

The following are some of the diseases caused by HPV virus infection:

1. Genital warts

Genital warts are a type of HPV infection that is a lump.

Genital wart bumps can be large but can also be small so that they are difficult to see with the naked eye.

Genital warts can appear in groups or in groups.

When depicted, clustered warts look like tiny cauliflower or may just look flat and white.

In women, genital warts appear around the anus or on the vulva, vagina, or cervix.

Meanwhile in men, genital warts can occur on the outside of the penis, scrotum, or around the anus.

Usually, the appearance of genital warts is accompanied by itching, irritation, and may bleed if scratched.

When symptoms appear, generally the infection has actually occurred since the previous 2-3.

However, it is not uncommon for the first symptoms to appear after years of infection.

Men and women are generally not aware of the existence of this disease until they have their complaints checked by a doctor.

2. Anal cancer

Nearly 80% of anal cancers are found in people over 60 years of age. Before the age of 35 years, anal cancer is more common in men.

Frequent anal sex has the potential to trigger the development of anal cancer. This is because the risk of transmitting HPV infection to the anus will be even higher.

People with weak immune systems are more likely to get this cancer. The most common symptom of anal cancer is bleeding.

In addition, itching in the anus can also indicate this disease.

Other signs are pain or pressure in the anal area, a lump near the anus, a change in bowel pattern, and unusual discharge through the anus.

3. Penile cancer

Penile cancer begins in the skin cells of the penis and extends to the inside.

This cancer is rare, so it can be said to be rare.

This cancer can be treated if found at an early stage.

Experts estimate that people who are uncircumcised may be more at risk of developing this cancer.

Cancer cell growth can occur if there is fluid trapped at the tip of the penis and is not cleaned.

In addition, penile cancer can also occur due to infection with certain HPV viruses.

This type of cancer is more common in men over the age of 60, smokers, and those with weak immune systems.

The following are symptoms that usually occur in penile cancer:

• Change in the thickness or color of the foreskin (usually appearing at the tip of the skin of the male's penis that is not circumcised)
• The presence of a rash or small, crusty lump on the skin of the tip of the foreskin.
• The penis hurts
• Swelling at the tip of the penis
• The presence of a lump under the skin in the groin area
• The penis looks bluish
• There is an unpleasant odor emanating from the uncircumcised tip of the foreskin

However, not all men with the above signs have penile cancer. This can also occur due to an allergic reaction.

Even so, it is important to have your penis checked for any unusual symptoms.

4. Vaginal cancer

Vaginal cancer is a rare case, such as penile cancer.

Vaginal cancer occurs most often in the cells lining the surface of your vagina which are often referred to as the birth canal.

In its early stages, this cancer does not show any symptoms.

However, over time, vaginal cancer can cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding, for example after sexual intercourse or after menopause
• Leucorrhoea
• The presence of a lump in the vagina
• Urinating frequently
• Constipation
• Pelvic pain

5. Oropharyngeal cancer

According to the CDC website, human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause throat cancer, especially oropharyngeal cancer.

Oropharyngeal cancer is cancer that attacks the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils.

Generally, this type of cancer is more common in men than women.

More details

Prevention of HPV infection

Getting the HPV vaccine is the best way to prevent the HPV virus from infecting your body, especially the Cervarix and Gardasil vaccines.

Experts say that the younger a person gets this vaccine, the higher the effectiveness of this vaccine.

Girls are advised to get the HPV vaccine from the age of 9.

However, if you are an adult, it's never too late to get the HPV vaccination.

With a note, for those of you who have had sexual intercourse, it is recommended to do a pap smear before carrying out any vaccinations.

Make sure you have safe sex and use a condom when having sex.

Even so, areas that are not protected by condoms can still be at risk of becoming infected with HPV.

Using condoms does not completely eliminate, but will reduce the risk of infection with the HPV virus.

In addition, not having free sex can also reduce the risk of disease.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.