Which hpv strain do i have

Because some are likely to cause more complications than others, the types are categorized as low-risk and high-risk HPV. Some types of HPV clear up without intervention. Other types may lead to cancer. Your doctor will monitor your condition so that if cancer cells do develop, they can be detected early. They are linked to approximately 90 percent of genital warts. HPV 11 can also cause changes to the cervix. Genital warts look like cauliflower-shaped bumps on your genitalia.

They usually show up a few weeks or months after exposure from a sexual partner who has HPV. The vaccine also offers some protection from HPV This significant reduction against contracting these types was noted in 9- to year-olds. These are topical medications that destroy genital wart tissue. You can apply these medications directly to your genital warts. It causes 50 percent of cervical cancers worldwide. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are together responsible for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers worldwide.

HPV testing can be performed for women with a Pap test commonly known as a Pap smear , which is a screening test for cervical cancer. If present, the test can determine whether the HPV is a low- or a high-risk type. This is because many women will have some strain of HPV by that age. Most of these will clear spontaneously without intervention. It does mean that you could develop cervical cancer in the future, especially if you have a high-risk type of HPV.

Your doctor will review your results with you and discuss treatment or surveillance options. Dysplasia or warts can be removed with heat cautery , freezing, or laser. The procedure is done by your healthcare provider, usually in the doctor's office.

The number of treatments you need depends on how much tissue must be removed. Medicines can be applied to treat external warts. Some medicines prompt your immune system to fight HPV. Others are substances that destroy warts.

Medicines may be applied at the healthcare provider's office or at home. Following up with your healthcare provider helps reduce the cancer risk even more. Schedule follow-up visits as instructed. See your healthcare provider if you notice any new warts. Have Pap tests as often as your healthcare provider tells you to. This way any dysplasia is found early, when treatment works best and cancer can be prevented.

Smoking weakens the immune system, which makes you more likely to get HPV. Smoking also increases the risk for cervical and other types of cancer. If you have sex, the best way to prevent the spread of HPV is to use a latex condom every time. But remember that condoms and other barriers only protect the skin they cover. Talk to your partner and make a choice that feels right to both of you.

It may be given up to age 26 if it not given earlier. If you are older than 27 and have not been vaccinated, talk with your healthcare provider to see if you may need the vaccine. In some cases, it may be offered from ages 27 to Was this helpful? Yes No Tell us more. Most men and women who have ever had sexual contact get at least one type of genital HPV at some time in their lives.

Even people who have only had sex with one person in their lifetime can get HPV. In most people, the body clears the infection on its own. HPV is very common, so the only way to keep from becoming infected may be to completely avoid any contact of the areas of your body that can become infected like the mouth, anus, and genitals with those of another person.

HPV vaccines can prevent infection with the types of HPV most likely to cause cancer and genital warts, although the vaccines are most effective when given at a younger age between ages 9 and See HPV Vaccines for more on this.

If you are sexually active, limiting the number of sex partners and avoiding sexual activity with people who have had many other sex partners can help lower your risk of exposure to genital HPV. But again, HPV is very common, so having sexual contact with even one other person can put you at risk. And condoms must be used every time, from start to finish.

Condoms are very helpful, though, in protecting against other infections that can be spread through sexual activity. Most people will never know they have HPV because they have no symptoms and most won't develop health problems because of HPV.

In most people, their immune system attacks the virus and clears the HPV infection, typically within 2 years. This is true of both high-risk and low-risk HPV types. But sometimes HPV infections are not cleared by the body.

Infection with a high-risk HPV type usually has no symptoms. But, this type of HPV can lead to cell changes that over many years may develop into cancer. Infection with a low-risk HPV type can cause genital warts.