Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) | Medtick
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Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

What is it?

A viral condition that lives and affects the skin (warts, genital warts) and moist membrane linings i.e. mouth, throat and anus and cervix.

  • The virus lives on the skin, so it can be caught via skin contact  and/or via sexual intercourse.
  • There are many types of these viruses some more harmful than others.
  • Most cause no symptoms and goes away by itself, if one has a healthy immune system. However some can lay dormant (hiding) for years and appear later.

Diagnosis tests

  • Clinical examination – examine warts
  • Biopsy
  • Colposcopy
    • Acetic acid test- HPV-infected areas turn white (“acetowhite lesions”)
  • HPV DNA testing
  • Pap smear (cervical cytology)
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

  • Virus: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
    • Low risk: Type 6, 11 – cause genital warts
    •  High risk: Type, 16,18,31, 33, 45, 52, 58 – lead to:
    • Kissing- via infected mouth and/or throat
    • Sexual contact- sexual intercourse (condoms can reduce risk but not completely)
    • Anal sex
    • Oral sex
    • Skin to skin contact- touching warts

Syndromes

Symptoms

Some develop no symptoms, while other develop symptoms at a later stage:

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Sore throat longer than seven days or more?
  • Watery eyes?
  • Runny nose, congestion, cold not cleared by over the counter medication or greater than three weeks?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks and/or breathing difficulties?
  • Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Genital warts?
  • Wart- type symptoms (hard skin bumps i.e. on hands)- lesions can be a few millimetres to several centimetres in size of pink brown or white cauliflower appearance?

Females only:

  • Cervical cancer symptoms?
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding (include new bleed in menopause)?
  • Periods heavier than usual?
  • Bleeding between periods?
  • Pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse?
  • Vaginal discharge?
  • Anus pain?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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