What are the symptoms of HPV?

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Most HPV infections are harmless or cause genital warts, however some types can cause cervical cancer.

Warts:                                                                

Genital warts appear from 3 weeks after the virus was contracted but can occur much later as the virus lives in the host’s skin.  Warts are diagnosed on examination rather than by a specific test.

Cervical Cancer:

Most HPV infections clear up by themselves, but in some people the infection can last a long time. HPV infects the cells of the surface of the cervix where it can stay for many years without you knowing. The HPV virus can damage these cells leading to changes in their appearance. Over time, these changes can develop into cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix – which is the entrance to the womb. 99% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. The purpose of cervical screening (testing) is to detect these changes, which, if picked up early enough, can be treated to prevent cancer happening. If they are left untreated, cancer can develop and may lead to serious illness and death.

Smear Tests

Changes to the cervix in women are diagnosed on smear tests which are carried out in the United Kingdom as part of the National Cervical Screening Programme.  Even if a woman has been vaccinated, she will still have to go for smears as the vaccine does not protect against all cervical cancers.  Smears start at the age of 25 in England (20 in Scotland and Wales) and discontinue at 64 years of age.  They should be done every 3 to 5 years and women can check with their GP if they are due a smear. Modern smear tests can detect not only abnormal cells from the cervix but also the commons strains of HPV which cause cervical cancer.

Men may experience:

• Nothing 
• Warts on or around the penis and scrotum and anus

Women may experience:

• Warts on or around the vulva and anus
• Breakthrough bleeding or bleeding after sex

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