PLEASE NOTE! All articles here in this site are informative for common knowledge. Please study different sources for information and visit a local doctor.

HPV SYMPTOMS

Most people who contract HPV do not show any signs or symptoms at all. Genital warts or respiratory papillomatosis are typically the only prominent symptoms, and this means that the only way HPV can be detected otherwise is via a positive blood test or abnormal pap smear.

GENITAL WARTS

Genital warts are one of the most common HPV symptoms. In women, genital warts can appear on the inside or outside of the vagina. In men, they may appear on the penis, scrotum, or inner thighs.These warts may be white or light pink in color; they can also become inflamed and appear bright red. Single warts may appear or there may be groups of them that grow in small clusters. They are usually raised and somewhat uneven on the surface; however, they can also be flat on top.

RESPIRATORY PAPILLOMATOSIS

Respiratory papillomatosis is another symptom of HPV that is similar to genital warts. However, instead of the warts and wart clusters appearing in the genital area, they instead affect the mouth, throat and respiratory tract. When left untreated, these warts may develop into cancer that affects these areas. A simple doctor’s visit is typically all that is necessary to determine whether respiratory papillomatosis is present.

POSITIVE HPV BLOOD TEST

Some doctors recommend a routine blood test along with a pap smear to test for HPV. This test can pinpoint the exact strains that are known to cause cervical cancer. Women who have good results from their pap smear can still be at risk if they are carrying certain strains of the human papillomavirus because the virus could go to work at a later time to destroy healthy cells in the cervix. This blood test can identify those who are at a higher risk for cervical cancer early on so it can be detected and treated as soon as possible.

ABNORMAL PAP SMEAR

One of the first symptoms of anal cancer is bleeding or discharge from the rectum. This may be accompanied by intense burning or itching. In advanced stages, anal cancer causes swelling in the anus as well as changes in the stool. In order to diagnose anal cancer, a doctor will take a swab of cells from the area and have it analyzed in a laboratory. Those who exhibit symptoms of anal cancer should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

CANCER OF THE PENIS

This is usually evident by changes in the appearance of this organ. One of the early signs is a change in color, which can be very slight and then becomes more noticeable over time. The skin on the penis might also become thicker than normal. Some men experience growths or sores on their organs that can be very painful and can even bleed or ooze fluid. Any unusual growths should be examined by a physician who will likely take a biopsy of these cells so they can be checked by a laboratory to see if they are malignant.

Many people do not exhibit any HPV symptoms at all because their body fights off the virus effectively. This means that the presence of this virus is not necessarily cause for alarm. Routine health screenings can detect some of the common problems associated with HPV so they can be treated quickly.