HPVs are a diverse group of viruses that
attack the skin and mucous membranes of
the mouth, genitalia and anus. Over 100
different human papillomavirus (HPV) types
have been characterized. Some types of
HPV cause benign skin warts, or
papillomas, for which the virus family is
named. HPVs associated with the
development of such "common warts" are
transmitted environmentally or by casual
skin-to-skin contact.
A group of about 30-40 HPVs are typically
transmitted through sexual contact and
infect the anogenital region. Some
sexually transmitted HPVs, such as types 6
and 11, can cause genital warts (condyloma
acuminate). However, most HPV types that
infect the genitals tend not to cause
noticeable symptoms.
Furthermore, a persistent infection with a
subset of about 13 so-called "high-risk"
sexually transmitted HPVs, including types
16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56,
58, 59, and 68 — different from the ones
that cause warts — can lead to the
development of cervical dysplasia, or
precancerous lesions, which may in turn
lead to cervical cancer in women, or
penile cancer in men. An HPV infection is
a necessary factor in the development of
nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
There are 2 diagnostic tests for
HPV-infections: PAP-test and
HPV-DNA-testing. They are both used
routinely in women. HPV-DNA-test is used
when a PAP-smear is positive or with
undetermined significance. Although it is
possible to test for HPV DNA in men, there
are no FDA-approved tests for general
screening, since the testing is
inconclusive and considered medically
unnecessary. According to the CDC (Center
for Disease Control) there is currently no
test commercially available to determine
infection in men. However, although there
are no formal guidelines, some experts
believe that men who receive anal sex
should have a routine anal PAP-test,
especially if they also have HIV
infection.
Both men and women are carriers of human
papillomavirus. Genital warts are the only
visible sign of HPV in men, and can be
identified with a visual check of the
genital area. These visible growths
however are usually caused by
non-carcinogenic HPV types.
There is a vaccine against HPV-infections
but for now is used only in women. To
eradicate the disease, men will eventually
need to be vaccinated. Studies are being
conducted now to determine the efficacy of
vaccinating boys with current technology.
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