Like all viruses, HPV needs a living host to survive and multiply. Here’s a friendly breakdown of what you should know:
What exactly is a virus?
A virus is a tiny invader that can’t reproduce on its own. It sneaks into our bodies through the lining of the nose, mouth, eyes, genitals or even tiny skin breaks and hijacks our cells to replicate itself.
For HPV, the preferred host is squamous epithelial cells which reside on the surface of your skin and the moist tissues lining areas such as your mouth, throat and genital area. Once the virus takes up residence it can cause symptoms right where it’s living such as warts on the skin or issues in the respiratory or reproductive tracts.
The many faces of HPV
With more than 200 types of HPV out there not all of them act the same:
- Low-risk types (like HPV 6 and 11) can lead to benign growths, papillomas or warts but not cancer.
- High-risk types (such as HPV 16 and 18) may quietly stick around and over time raise the odds of certain cancers: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal and some head-and-neck cancers.
Knowing which HPV strain you have helps your healthcare team tailor follow-up checks and any necessary treatments.
How common is HPV?
HPV is everywhere, so common that millions of people catch it each year. In most cases, your immune system clears the virus naturally within a few years. But if a high-risk strain lingers, it can lead to cell changes that, if left unchecked, might develop into cancer over time.
Managing and treating HPV-related issues
There’s no “cure” for the virus itself but plenty can be done to address the problems it might cause:
- Warts -If you have visible warts, a doctor can remove them by freezing them (cryotherapy) using a laser or prescription creams. Warts can come back but they’re treatable each time.
- Early cell changes - Routine cervical screenings (Pap tests and HPV tests) catch precancerous changes before they turn serious. Those spots can be removed or frozen to stop cancer in its tracks.
- Cancer - When HPV leads to cancer, the treatment depends on the type and stage. Early detection typically means more straightforward and more effective treatment.
For cancers outside the cervix your dentist or doctor may recommend checkups or special tests like anal HPV screening if you’re at higher risk.
Here’s what to remember
HPV is a widespread virus with many strains, most of which your body handles independently. Understanding how it works, staying up-to-date on screenings and following your healthcare provider’s advice on treatments can keep you one step ahead. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to speak with your healthcare team.
