What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• HPV Infection

What is Human Papilloma Virus Infection? (Definition/Background Information)

• Human Papilloma Virus Infection is an infection that is caused by viruses belonging to the papilloma virus family. It is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• The human papilloma virus (HPV) attacks the skin and moist membranes of the body such as the throat, mouth, feet, fingers, nails, anus and cervix. Some of the viruses of the family may cause warts (non-cancerous tumors) and some may lead to cancers of the cervix, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx
• Generally, there are no significant signs and symptoms of Human Papilloma Virus Infection noted. The infection may be diagnosed via a physical exam and lab studies
• The treatment options for infection may include the use of oral and topical medications. The warts caused by Human Papilloma Virus Infection may be removed via surgery or laser therapy. The prognosis is excellent in most cases, although the infection may persist for a couple of years in some cases

Who gets Human Papilloma Virus Infection? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Worldwide, Human Papilloma Virus Infection is a fairly common condition
• According to age groups:
  • Individuals aged between 20 and 29 are commonly affected by this disease
  • Children and teenagers are likely to get common warts
  • Adults and kids may develop plantar warts
  • Genital warts are more common in young adults and teenagers
• Young women are affected commonly by human papilloma virus (in comparison to men of the same age range)
• People of African-American ethnicity are known to be frequently affected by HPV Infection

What are the Risk Factors of Human Papilloma Virus Infection? (Predisposing Factors)

The following factors increase the risk for Human Papilloma Virus Infection:

• An active sexual lifestyle: The more the number of sexual partners, the higher is the risk for HPV Infection
• Unprotected sex
• History of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Compromised immune system: Individuals with HIV infection, organ transplant patients, those undergoing chemotherapy, and diabetic patients are at a higher risk
• Skin lesions: Cuts or bruises on skin (open wounds) can make one increasingly vulnerable to viral and other infections
• Biting nails: Regularly biting the nails may lead to wart formation around the nails.
• Hormonal factors such as the use of oral contraceptives and condoms
• Smoking is a known risk factor for HPV Infection

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Human Papilloma Virus Infection? (Etiology)

Human Papilloma Virus Infection is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) belonging to the papilloma virus family. It attacks the human skin and moist (mucosal) membranes of the body such as the throat, mouth, feet, fingers, nails, anus, and cervix.

The types of HPVs include:

• Low-risk human papilloma virus which cause genital warts
• High-risk human papilloma virus that causes cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus in women, and cancers of the anus and penis in men

Some of the possible causes for the development of HPV Infection include:

• HPV enters the human body through cuts and bruises on the outermost layer of the skin
• Skin-to-skin contact, and infection spread
• Genital HPV occurs through sexual transmission which includes both vaginal and anal sex
• Oral sex can lead to infection in the oral and respiratory regions
• Even though rare, during childbirth, a mother can transmit HPV virus to the fetus or newborn
• Sharing contaminated objects

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Human Papilloma Virus Infection?

In most cases, Human Papilloma Virus Infection does not manifest any significant signs and symptoms. The following may be noted in some case:

• Appearance of genital warts in both male and female is a prominent sign of HPV Infection
• In certain cases, throat warts may be commonly observed
• Changes in the cell structure is an important sign for the occurrence of HPV infection

How is Human Papilloma Virus Infection Diagnosed?

The various tests and exams conducted for diagnosing Human Papilloma Virus Infection may include:

• Evaluation of personal medical history
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) test - to look for the presence of genetic material of high-risk HPV, especially in women
• In case of genital warts, a physical examination of the genital areas by the physician is usually sufficient to diagnose the disease
  • Pap test: Samples of cervical and vaginal cells are sent to the lab for testing abnormalities of the cell structure
  • DNA test: This test is done to check if high-risk HPV virus are found that are associated with genital cancer. It is the most suitable test for women above 30 years of age
  • Vinegar solution test: A vinegar solution applied to the vaginal area turns white if HPV Infection is tested positive

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Human Papilloma Virus Infection?

Following are the complications which a Human Papilloma Virus Infection may lead to:

• Oral and upper respiratory lesions: Lesions may form on the tongue, tonsils, soft palate larynx, and nose
• Cancer: Many cases of cervical cancers are caused by HPV. It may also lead to vaginal, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers
• It also increases the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• Recurrence of the infection following treatment

How is Human Papilloma Virus Infection Treated?

The treatment and management methods for Human Papilloma Virus Infection may include:

• Administration of medications:
  • Salicylic acid: This is an over-the-counter medicine, but it is not recommended for genital warts
  • Trichloroacetic acid: It helps in burning-off the warts in the genital region
  • Podofilox: It is a prescription medication used in treating genital warts
  • Imiquimod: A cream used for treatment of genital warts
• Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen may be used to freeze-off the warts
• Laser surgery: The warts are removed by burning them using lasers
• Surgery: The warts are excised through surgery (surgical removal)
• Electrocautery: The warts are burned-off by using an electrical current

Generally, a surgical removal of the warts is the best method used in removing the warts. The other methods may not guarantee that the warts are removed completely from the deeper layers of the skin. It also requires the patient to visit the hospital many times before a complete cure is noted.

How can Human Papilloma Virus Infection be Prevented?

The following measures may be adopted to prevent Human Papilloma Virus Infection:

• Avoiding biting one’s nails
• Keeping one’s feet clean and dry to help prevent plantar warts (that usually affect the feet)
• Wearing clean socks
• Avoiding walking barefoot in public places and outdoors
• Having safe sex: Using latex condoms during sexual activities to help reduce the risk for genital warts
• HPV vaccination: The US National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend the following:
  • All boys and girls in the age of 11 and 12 years should be administered HPV vaccination
  • The vaccination should be administered to boys and girls before their sexual activities begin
  • The two types of HPV vaccines available currently include Gardasil and Cervarix

Regular medical screening at periodic intervals with tests and physical examinations are recommended.

What is the Prognosis of Human Papilloma Virus Infection? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

In over 90% of the cases, a spontaneous resolution of Human Papilloma Virus Infection is observed, usually within two years.

• Common warts generally do not need any treatment and are known to resolve within 6 to 12 months
• Application of over-the-counter creams and medicines are normally sufficient to cure the common warts
• If the infection results in genital cancer, the overall prognosis depends on several factors but more importantly on the type and stage of cancer

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Human Papilloma Virus Infection:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/infection-center/