Contents:
- Medical Video: Risk Factors of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Manipal Hospital
- Men and women are equally at risk of getting HPV infection
- When do symptoms of HPV begin to appear after sex?
- How to treat HPV infection?
Medical Video: Risk Factors of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Manipal Hospital
HPV infection is one type of venereal disease that is susceptible to transmission through unprotected sex, especially sex with multiple partners without using a condom. Generally the HPV virus can disappear by itself and not cause any health problems. However, there is still a chance that the symptoms of HPV can continue to develop in the body to cause serious complications.
So, how long can HPV symptoms begin to appear after sex?
Men and women are equally at risk of getting HPV infection
We have assumed that HPV infection can only attack women. The HPV virus is indeed a major risk factor for cervical cancer, the most common and deadly cancer in women. Complications of HPV infection in women can also cause vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.
But in fact, the CDC in the United States insists that men and women can both be infected with HPV along with possible risks of complications, such as genital skin and cancer. Both men and women are at risk of developing oral cancer, throat cancer, and anal cancer due to HPV infection. Men in particular can also get penile cancer from these infections.
People who have weak immune systems tend to be more susceptible to being infected with the HPV virus, regardless of their gender.
When do symptoms of HPV begin to appear after sex?
Many people don't realize they have been infected with HPV. Because, this disease generally does not cause symptoms that appear to mean until the virus has really developed and spread in the body.
Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, a faculty lecturer in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, revealed that most cases of infectious venereal disease usually begin to show symptoms over a period of time 3-10 days after the virus first enters the body. Even so, this time span is the average benchmark for all types of sexually transmitted diseases.
Well, for a long time the appearance of symptoms of HPV itself is not always the same in each person. Most people infected with HPV generally only begin to realize the appearance of genital warts about three months after the initial infection, quoted from Very Well Health. Genital warts are indeed one of the symptoms of HPV that is most likely to appear first and most noticeably.
Warts start from small wounds that grow bigger until they form a small lump on the skin. In women, warts usually appear in the vulva, vagina, skin area around the anus, up to the cervix. Whereas in men, the skin of the penis, testicles, and around the anus are some of the places most often overgrown with genital warts as symptoms of HPV. Both men and women, warts can also appear on the hands, feet, or face, although not always.
However, the appearance of genital warts is not always a sure sign of HPV infection. If you find warts that suddenly grow in any part of the body, you should consult your doctor to find out the exact cause and treatment.
How to treat HPV infection?
Generally, mild HPV infections can disappear on their own without special treatment. The doctor may only advise you to take a check-up in the next six months. The goal is to ascertain whether HPV infection still exists and as far as its development in the body.
If the doctor suspects that the symptoms of HPV have developed sufficiently in the body, the doctor will adjust the treatment depending on the problems that arise and what type of HPV virus attacks.
The most important thing is to take precautions before getting sick. Getting HPV vaccination is a proven method for creating protection against HPV infection and the risk of cervical cancer. Also, make sure you always practice safe sex.
