Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a double stranded DNA virus. It is associated with both genital warts and anogenital cancers, and some cancers of the head and neck.
Genital Warts
HPV 6 and HPV 11 caused >90% of genital warts. Warts appear between 3 weeks to 8 months from infection.
Treatment:
Soft, non-keratinised warts: podophyllin
Keratinised warts: cryotherapy
Either: imiquimod
Patients with a small number of either type of warts are best treated with cryotherapy from the outset.
Anogenital cancer
The 2 main types of HPV associated with cervical cancer are HPV 16 (50% of cases) and HPV 18 (15% of cases).
HPV 16 and 18 are also associated with up to 90% of all anal squamous cell carcinomas and around 40% of penile cancers.
Vaccination
Girls aged 12/13 are given 3 doses of either
- cervarix – active against HPV 16 and 18 or
- gardasil – active against HPV 6,11, 16 and 18
