To know if you have HPV (human papillomavirus), there are a few key points:
- Symptoms: Most people with HPV do not have symptoms and may never know they have it. When symptoms do appear, they often involve genital warts, which can be small bumps or clusters that may be raised, flat, skin-colored, white, or cauliflower-shaped. HPV can also cause warts in the anal, mouth, or throat areas, sometimes causing hoarseness, sore throat, or lesions. Many types of HPV produce no symptoms at all.
- Testing: The most reliable way to know if you have HPV is through medical testing. For people with a cervix, an HPV test can be done using cells collected from the cervix, often during a Pap smear. This test looks for the presence of HPV infection. Currently, there are no approved HPV tests for people with penises. In some high-risk groups, anal HPV testing may be done.
- Diagnosis by a doctor: If you notice warts, bumps, or other unusual growths in the genital, anal, mouth, or throat areas, it is important to get examined by a healthcare professional. They may diagnose HPV by visual inspection or take a biopsy of warts for laboratory analysis.
- Warning signs of HPV-related cancers: HPV can lead to cancers such as cervical, anal, oropharyngeal (throat), penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Symptoms related to these cancers vary but may include bleeding, lumps, pain, swelling, or persistent throat issues.
In summary, HPV often does not cause noticeable symptoms, so testing through a healthcare provider is the main way to detect it. Regular screening, especially for those with cervixes (Pap and HPV tests), is key for early detection. Seeing a healthcare provider about any unusual skin or mucous membrane changes is also important. If concerned about HPV or related symptoms, a consultation with a healthcare professional is the best course of action for accurate diagnosis and possible testing.
