HPV (human papillomavirus)

Very often, the HPV infection does not show any symptoms.

If symptoms show up, they are as follows:

• small lumps that look like warts (condylomas) on the genital organs, around the anus and less frequently, in the mouth;
• irritation and itching;
• lesions invisible to the naked eye can develop in the uterine cervix.

Consequences of HPV on health

Some of these lesions can become cancerous.

Screening

Condylomas

• There are no screening tests for the infection when there are no visible lesions.
• When lesions are present, a medical examination is used to formulate a diagnosis.

Precancerous and cancerous lesions at the level of the uterine cervix

• Detection of these lesions is carried out by a Pap test during a gynaecological examination. The Pap test is used to screen for lesions that may indicate that a cancer could develop.

Treatment

• Most of the time, lesions and condylomas in the uterine cervix that have been caused by HIV disappear naturally within 18 months.
• Condylomas disappearing, however, does not mean that the infection has been cured.
• To eliminate condylomas, several treatments are possible (application of chemical products, laser or liquid nitrogen treatment, etc.).
• There are also treatments to avoid the development of a cancer.

• The vaccine against HPV is offered free of charge to girls younger than 18.
• When you have sexual intercourse, use a condom.
  • A condom must be used before any contact of the penis with the mouth, the vagina or the anus.
  • A condom must be used from start to finish of sexual intercourse.
• Even if a condom is used, transmission continues to be possible for infected areas such as the thighs, the buttocks, the testicles, etc. In other words, the areas that aren’t covered by the condom.
• The vaccine against HPV only protects against some types of HPV and offers no protection against other STIs.
• Because symptoms can take a long time to appear, it is important for girls to have a Pap test regularly according to their doctor’s recommendations.