Causes and risk factors
The HPV virus is transmitted through skin to skin contact. It enters the body through a cut or abrasion in the skin. Genital HPV infection is caused by sexual transmission. Cervical dysplasia or cervical cancers are commonly caused by HPV infection. Oral HPV infection can be caused due to oral sex. It can be transmitted from mother to foetus during delivery. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, weakened immune system, damaged skin, direct contact with infected person such using common towels, swimming pools etc.
Clinical presentation
Mostly HPV infection presents as warts on skin and mucus membrane, specially mouth, nasal and genitals. Different varieties of HPV virus cause different types of warts on different parts of body. Warts appear on hands, arms, feet, legs and genitals. Male Genital warts can be flat, may appear on penis, scrotum or perianal area. Female genital warts are found on vulva, sometimes inside the vagina. Itching may be present in these type of warts. Plantar warts are hard growths which appear on heels or balls of feet. They may be painful. Common warts are found on hands, arms, elbows. They appear as rough, raised growths. They may be painful and prone to injuries and bleeding. Flat warts are slightly raised flat growths, darker than skin colour. They are common on face, neck. They are seen commonly in children and young adults. Subungual and periungual warts are the warts appearing under or around the fingernails and toenails. HPV infection presents as cervical dysplasia in women. It is a precancerous condition. Cervical cancer is caused by a specific variety of HPV infection, a woman doesn’t know when she’s been infected until clinically examined and investigated.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Tests such as vinegar [acetic acid] solution test, Pap smear, DNA test help in diagnosis of the HPV infection. Biopsy of the warts and in suspected Ca cervix are done to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
No treatment is required for patients who are unaffected by warts due to HPV infection. Topical medications are commonly used to treat warts. Surgical treatment includes cryotherapy, electrocautery, and Laser therapy. Immunotherapy also helps in treating HPV infection. For planter warts special foot cushions can be used to reduce the pain. Use of socks, wearing shoes with plenty of room, avoiding high heels, will help in managing the plantar warts. Even if the warts are removed, HPV remains inside the body if untreated and can be transmitted. Vaccines have been introduced, which are to be administered to the children at the age of 9 to 25 years or before one becomes sexually active that prevent from HPV infection.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating HPV infection. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating HPV infection.
