Human Papillomavirus Symptoms

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has recently been reported with increased number of infections. During the last 30 years of my practice, I have seen and treated many patients with genital warts; recently I have been seeing more patients, especially youngsters, who come in for treatment of genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). While the infection with HPV mainly causes warts in the anogenital region as the HPV symtoms, more serious infections with "dangerous" strains of HPV may lead to cancer.

HPV Protection

• Stay in a faithful relation with known infection free partner
• Condoms may decrease the chance of transmission (no absolute protection is guaranteed!)
• Vaccines: HPV vaccines are recommended for boys and girls ages 11 or 12 years (please always consult with your specialist first)

HPV Symptoms or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Diagnosis

• Papilloma Genital Warts:
  • Weeks or months after infection, HPV warts (genital warts) may appear as small bumps or group of bumps all over the genital area. They can be only a few or multiple, small or large, and flat or raised. Your specialist usually detects the warts upon visual examination. If left untreated, the warts may disappear or grow in number and size.

Note: the type of HPV that causes genital warts is not the same type of human papillomavirus that causes cancer.

• Cervical Cancer:

• • Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer is usually not detected until in an advanced stage. Routine Pap-Smear testing in female is able to detect cervical cancer or its early stages and allow the initiation of the proper treatment.

• Other HPV associated cancer types may involve the penis, the vulva, the vagina, the anus, or the mouth and throat area.

Treatment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

• Genital Warts:
  • There are multiple modalities available for HPV associated genital warts. Each health care provider might have his/her choice of treatment; no single treatment option is better than the other.

As a urologist, I do offer several treatment options for my patients. For more information, please follow this link: Penile Lesion Removal

• Cervical Cancer:
  • Cervical cancer is best treated if detected early. Please consult with your gynecologist for diagnosis and treatment.

• Other human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancer:
  • other cancer types are also best treated if detected early. Please consult with your specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

As with many other infectious diseases, human papillomavirus infections need professional attention in order to be diagnosed and treatment to be initiated if warranted. Please do not hesitate to visit us for proper evaluation and treatment.