HPV Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Human papillomavirus(HPV) is a type of DNA virus that can infect humans, especially on the skin and mucous membranes (mouth, throat, and genitals). HPV is generally transmitted through direct contact with the skin or sexual intercourse.
In order not to get HPV, use a condom every time you have sex. Don’t have multiple sexual partners. Wearing footwear when walking in public places is also important. Also, because HPV can be transmitted through physical touch, avoid touching and scratching warts.
Symptoms
Symptoms of HPV infection that can arise are:
- Genital warts
in the form of small bumps that can be more and more in number, gather, and form bumps like a cock’s comb.
Warts can appear on a woman’s sexual organs, cervix, to the anus (during anal intercourse). In men, warts can appear on the penis, skin covering the penis, and anus.
These warts can cause itching, discomfort, and pain.
- Skin warts
in the form of small bumps that can stand alone or in groups.
These warts most often appear on the hands, fingers, or elbows. If they are in places that are often subjected to pressure or trauma, warts can be painful, even bleed.
- Flat warts
are generally located on the soles of the feet. Unlike other warts, these warts are flatter and harder. May cause pain if pressed.
- Cervical cancer
has early symptoms in the form of vaginal discharge, bleeding after sexual intercourse, irregular bleeding, or bleeding after menopause.
At a more advanced stage, patients may experience weakness, decreased body weight, disturbances when urinating, bone pain, and others that indicate cancer has spread to other organs of the body.
To be able to become cervical cancer, generally takes a lot of time, that is, up to a dozen years.
- Oral cavity cancer
This type of cancer can occur when HPV types 16 and 18 infect the mouth and throat through oral sex.
Symptoms include white or red patches in the mouth, numbness of the face, mouth or neck, sore throat, difficulty chewing and swallowing, etc.
Reason
HPV infection can be transmitted through direct contact between skin and mucous membranes during sexual intercourse.
Transmission of the HPV virus can also occur from mother to baby if born normally. This can lead to an HPV infection in the baby’s upper respiratory tract.
Diagnosis
Usually, the initial examination is carried out by spraying acetic acid liquid into the patient’s cervix. If it turns white, there may be early symptoms of uterine cancer.
Diagnosis of HPV can be done by using a sample of cells in the cervix ( Pap smear ). Through this examination, a sample of cells from the cervix will be taken to find out whether the cells are malignant or not.
Meanwhile, to make a diagnosis of genital warts or other warts, the doctor only needs to do a normal physical examination.
Treatment
Warts and genital warts can be treated with topical medications or surgical procedures. Meanwhile, cervical cancer and oral cavity cancer can be treated with various methods, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Avoid scratching, rubbing, and lathering the pubic area excessively. If you feel itchy, compress it with cold water and don’t use any medicine.