HPV (Genital Warts)
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is quite common and is almost exclusively transmitted through sexual contact. It is responsible for the development of genital warts, also known as condylomas, and should be taken seriously.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking treatment for genital warts. Most sexually active individuals will encounter HPV at some point in their lives, but they may never be aware of it unless warts or condylomas form.
The presence of HPV infection in one person does not necessarily mean they have had contact with someone other than their partner. Condom use reduces the risk of HPV transmission, but it does not provide complete protection. In long-term couples, if one partner has HPV, the other is very likely to have it too, even if no symptoms or signs are present. When genital warts (condylomas) appear, the contagiousness of the virus increases, and treatment of the warts reduces its transmission.
There are currently more than 150 known types of HPV. Some of these cause infections only in the reproductive system and are referred to as genital HPV. In many cases, the immune system naturally fights off HPV, and the infection resolves on its own without causing any health problems. However, sometimes the immune system cannot overcome the infection, and some HPV types cause genital warts. Other types (high-risk types) can cause cellular changes in the cervix in women, which can eventually lead to cervical cancer. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same as those that cause cancer.
The most common types of HPV that cause genital warts are types 6 and 11. However, types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, and 52 cause cellular changes in the cervix. HPV is found in nearly 95% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer, which ranks high among female cancers, is most commonly caused by HPV infection. Therefore, when HPV or genital warts are detected, treatment should be administered, and the patient should be closely monitored with Pap tests and, if necessary, colposcopic examinations.
HPV testing can be done by taking a sample from normal tissue or a lesion. A swab is used to collect cells by gently brushing the surface. The collected cells are then analyzed for viral DNA material.
Women with high-risk HPV may be at risk for developing cervical cancer. A positive HPV DNA test result indicates the presence of HPV in the cervix, but it does not necessarily mean that the patient has cervical cancer or will definitely develop it. However, it increases the risk of cellular changes leading to cervical cancer over time. Therefore, patients should take their follow-up plans seriously.
