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With the notoriety that HIV or Human Immunodeficiency virus has gained currently, HPV or Human papillomavirus is almost relegated to the sidelines. But its infection-causing potential has not grown any less. The problem is HPV is not a single virus; it has over 100 strains that can wreak havoc on the body.
Understanding HPV
HPV are DNA-based viruses that have the potential to infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans and a variety of animals. You�d be surprised to know that HPV is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infection in the world. There are more than 100 different types of strains, of which, about 30 are typically transmitted through sexual contact. As per the statistics offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 6.2 million new cases of HPV infections are reported every year. And at least 20 million people in the US are already infected! (1)
HPV infections
HPVs are associated with warts or papillomas.
These can be common warts or genital warts. The former is usually transmitted environmentally or acquired by casual skin-to-skin contact, whereas the latter is sexually transmitted. Let�s see the HPV induced infections in some detail:
a. Skin warts:
i. Common warts: Common warts are caused by HPV-1 and HPV-2 types. There usual place of occurrence is hands and feet, but they can also occur in other areas, such as the elbows or knees. These warts have a characteristic cauliflower-like surface and are typically slightly raised above the surrounding skin. The good news is these don�t cause genital warts or cause cancer.
ii. Plantar warts: Found on the soles of the feet, plantar warts closely resemble common warts.
iii. Subungual or periungual warts: These warts can form subungually under the fingernail or around the fingernail or even periungually on the cuticle. Because of their location they pose difficulties in treatment than warts in other locations.
iv. Flat warts: The scourge of children and teenagers, flat warts are most commonly found on the arms, face or forehead. Thankfully flat warts aren�t associated with cancer in people with normal immune function.
b. Genital or anal warts:
Genital or anal warts are soft, moist and usually flesh colored. They sometimes appear in clusters that resemble cauliflower-like bumps; they can also be raised or flat, small or large. In women they appear on the vulva and cervix, and inside and surrounding the vagina and anus. In men, they can appear on the scrotum or penis. In some cases these warts occur on the thigh and groin (2). The HPV causing genital or anal warts may get transmitted to others through sexual contact, even if the person doesn�t display overt symptoms of the infection. Remember, the HPV types that cause genital warts are not the same ones that cause cervical cancer (1).
c. HPV-induced cancers:
HPV-induced cancers, caused by a dozen or so �high risk� HPV types that include Types 16, 18, 31 and 45, can cause cervical cancer, anal cancer, vulvar cancer, head and neck cancers, and penile cancer (Parkin 2006). Women with no history of cervical cancer don�t develop this cancer. Anal cancers usually occur in persons engaging in anal or oral sex. (1)
d. Respiratory papillomatosis:
This rare condition is caused by HPV Types 6 and 11. In this, warts form on the larynx or other areas of the respiratory tract (Wu et al., 2003; Sinal and Woods, 2005). (1)
HPV, if not treated in time, can cause endless suffering that may even lead to cancer. So, adopting safe sexual practices and keep a look out for anal or genital warts to catch this infection in its infancy.
