HPV is the abbreviation for Human Papillomavirus, the most common type of STI. HPV is mainly recognized because of the appearance of warts, which are usually not dangerous. But does HPV go away?
If you have questions on this matter, keep following the reading to find out what you should know about HPV!
Does HPV go away?
Well, in most cases, yes. However, in some circumstances, it can lead to more severe illnesses, like cancer.
HPV usually goes away on its own in up to two years and without health problems. However, in some cases, it can cause some issues, from genital warts to cancer.
To be clear, we can divide HPV into two categories: one with low risk and one with high risk.
The low risk is responsible for genital warts. On the other hand, the high risk leads to precancerous cells and cancer.
When doesn’t HPV go away on its own?
Although HPV usually goes away on its own, there are some exceptions.
Immunosuppressed people, which includes AIDS, or transplant candidates, for example, are exposed to higher risks when it comes to HPV and other infectious diseases.
So, if it is low-risk HPV, warts develop and must be treated. However, they can grow back as HPV changes the body’s cells.
Yet, if it is high-risk HPV, the infection remains inactive and keeps returning. In this case, it becomes cancer-causing, or as it is called, oncogenic.
HPV changes cells in the cervix, penis, anus, or mouth and even leads to precancerous cells. Therefore, the virus needs to be controlled, monitored, and treated in this scenario. In addition, this is the case for about 10% of people who have HPV.
The main HPV symptoms
HPV’s main symptoms are the development of warts. However, it can go unnoticed by many people, who usually don’t realize they have warts.
They go from common warts, which usually don’t cause any harm, to the most dangerous type – genital warts.
Genital warts appear on the genitals and are flesh-colored small skin bumps that look like cauliflower.
More than one may grow together, and they might burn or itch. Moreover, they can appear in the vagina, vulva, groin, or cervix and around the anus, tight, and scrotum.
These kinds of warts may also appear on the mouth, lips, and oral mucosa, but according to the Office on Women’s Health (OWH), it is not common.
General tips to prevent HPV
Although HPV is very common, some practices can reduce the risk of contamination.
The most common method is the barrier method used whenever you have sex. Condoms and dental dams can help decrease your risks of getting HPV by reducing skin-to-skin contact.
Another method of protection is vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for all preteens at age 11 or 12, sometimes starting at age 9.
It is also recommended to everyone around age 26 if not vaccinated already. In addition, some adults aged 27 to 45 can also get immunized after speaking with their healthcare provider.
HPV Treatment
There are no specific treatments for HPV itself. However, you can treat the health problems that HPV causes.
Women can identify HPV by doing routine Pap tests. In this exam, the doctor collects cell samplings from the patient’s cervix or vagina to send for laboratory analysis, which can uncover anomalies that can lead to cancer.
It is also possible to have exams in sexual health clinics, like anal screening, for men with higher chances of developing anal cancer.
In the cases where HPV leads to cancer, the best course of treatment will depend on many factors.
First, it must diagnose the type of cancer, then its stage, and for the treatment, it has to consider the person’s age and overall health.
In the case of warts, several treatments are possible – prescribed medication by a healthcare professional, laser, frostbite, over-the-counter-creams, and even surgery in some cases.
Either way, the best path is to get informed and seek professional help to determine the best treatments.
So, does HPV go away? As you could notice in this article, HPV usually goes away on its own.
However, preventing HPV and keeping up-to-date with your general health is essential to avoid severe consequences.
If you want more information and insights regarding HPV and warts, keep browsing our website to read valuable content!