Can you treat hpv

There were about 43 million HPV infections in , many among people in their late teens and early 20s. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. But there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex.

HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected. This makes it hard to know when you first became infected. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area.

They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.

HPV can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. There's no treatment for HPV. Most HPV infections do not cause any problems and are cleared by your body within 2 years. Treatment is needed if HPV causes problems like genital warts or changes to cells in the cervix.

Read more about treating genital warts and treating abnormal cell changes in the cervix. Page last reviewed: 19 March Next review due: 19 March Human papillomavirus HPV. HPV affects the skin. HPV can be high- or low-risk. Some forms of HPV may cause genital warts. A doctor may recommend surgery, cryotherapy, or prescribe creams or solutions to get rid of genital warts at home. HPV does not always cause visible symptoms, but when it does, it may look like a cluster of warts on the genitals, mouth, or anus.

Human papillomavirus HPV can affect the mouth, as well as other parts of the body. Not using barrier methods during oral sex can cause HPV in the…. Learn about three possible home remedies for genital warts. We also look at lifestyle changes that could help, and when you should see a doctor. After gender-affirming surgery, transgender women will need to wait until they have healed before having sex. Learn more about sexual health tips…. HPV treatment: What to know and where to buy. Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M.

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A high-risk strain of HPV can change the way that cells communicate with each other, and this can cause them to grow in an uncontrolled way.

In many people, the immune system defeats the unwanted cells. However, if the immune system is unable to do this, the cells can stay in the body and continue to grow.

In time, this can lead to cancer. Routine screening can lead to an early diagnosis, and receiving prompt treatment can prevent the cancer from spreading.

The best course of treatment will depend on the type of cancer, its stage, and the age and overall health of the person. HPV is a virus that transmits through skin-to-skin contact , often sexual contact. The infection can develop in anyone who is sexually active.

There may be no symptoms, or the symptoms may appear and disappear. HPV can pass from person to person regardless of whether symptoms are present. HPV can transmit to an infant during birth.

However, research suggests that this risk is relatively low, as the immune system usually takes care of the infection in this situation. Signs of an HPV infection in an infant include genital warts or lesions in the mouth. If a young child develops HPV symptoms, it may indicate child sexual abuse. Factors that increase the risk of HPV include:.

The risk of cancer is higher if a person has HPV and:. If warts or lesions are visible, a doctor can usually diagnose HPV with a visual examination. Also, tests can confirm the presence of the virus. Tests for HPV or related cervical cellular changes include:. A Pap smear, also called a cervical smear, involves collecting and testing cells from the surface of the cervix or vagina. It can reveal any cellular abnormalities that may lead to cancer.