Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Oncogenic Infections
Number of Conditions: 1
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Viral Infections
Sub-category: Oncogenic Infections
Symptoms:
genital warts; itching or discomfort in genital area; abnormal pap smear; throat or mouth lesions in oral hpv
Root Cause:
HPV is a group of viruses, some of which are oncogenic and can lead to cancers such as cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin or sexual contact.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through physical examination, biopsy of suspicious lesions, and Pap smears for cervical HPV. HPV typing can be done through PCR or hybrid capture tests.
Treatment:
Warts can be treated with cryotherapy, laser therapy, or topical treatments; however, no cure exists for the virus itself.
Medications:
Topical imiquimod (an immune response modifier), podophyllin (a plant-derived compound ), or sinecatechins for genital warts.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Over 80% of sexually active individuals are infected with HPV at some point in their lives.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Unprotected sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, immunocompromised conditions, and smoking.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Many HPV infections clear spontaneously within 1-2 years; however, persistent infection with high-risk strains can lead to cancer.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cervical cancer, anal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer, as well as the potential for genital warts.