Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a commonly known sexually transmitted infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 79 million Americans are infected with HPV, and about 14 million people become newly infected every year. HPV is primarily spread through sexual contact, but recent studies have shown that it can also be self-transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 150 related viruses. Most of these viruses are harmless and go away on their own. However, some types of HPV can cause genital warts or cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, and throat.

How is HPV transmitted?

HPV is primarily spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be spread by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person’s genital area, even if there are no visible warts or other symptoms.

Additionally, HPV can be spread from a mother to her baby during vaginal delivery, although this is rare.

Can HPV be self-transmitted?

Recent studies have shown that HPV can be self-transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. This means that a person can infect themselves with HPV by touching their own genitals or anus with their own infected fingers or hands.

It is possible for someone to have HPV on their hands or fingers without any visible warts or other symptoms. This is known as subclinical HPV, and it can be spread to other parts of the body, including the genitals or anus.

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Most people with HPV have no symptoms and do not know they are infected. Some people may develop genital warts, which can be small or large, raised or flat, and may look like cauliflower.

Other people may develop cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, or throat many years after being infected with HPV.

How can HPV be prevented?

The best ways to prevent HPV are to:.

Get vaccinated: There are HPV vaccines available for both males and females. These vaccines protect against the types of HPV that cause most genital warts and cancers.
Practice safe sex: Use condoms or other barrier methods during sexual activity to reduce the risk of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Limit the number of sexual partners: The more sexual partners you have, the greater your risk of contracting HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Get regular Pap tests: Pap tests can detect changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer. Women should get their first Pap test at age 21 and continue to get them every three years until age 65. Women who have had the HPV vaccine should still get regular Pap tests.

How is HPV diagnosed?

There is no HPV test for men. Women can get tested for HPV during their regular Pap tests.

If abnormalities or changes are detected on a Pap test, doctors may perform a colposcopy, which is a test in which the cervix is examined using a special microscope.

How is HPV treated?

There is no cure for HPV, but most people’s immune systems can clear the virus on their own within two years. However, some people may develop genital warts or cancers that need to be treated.

Treatment for genital warts may include:.

Medications: Topical medications such as imiquimod or podophyllin may be prescribed to help remove warts.
Cryotherapy: This involves freezing off warts with liquid nitrogen.
Laser therapy: This involves using a laser to remove warts.

Treatment for HPV-related cancers may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.

Conclusion

HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can also be self-transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Most people with HPV have no symptoms and do not know they are infected.

There is no cure for HPV, but most people’s immune systems can clear the virus on their own within two years. To reduce the risk of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections, it is important to practice safe sex, limit the number of sexual partners, get vaccinated, and get regular Pap tests.