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Nature of HPV Infection
Patients should be informed that:
- Genital HPV is a viral infection common in sexually
active adults.
- The incubation period is variable, and it is often
difficult to determine the source of infection.
- Low-risk genital HPV types are associated with mild
Pap test abnormalities and genital warts. High-risk
types are associated with mild to severe Pap test
abnormalities and, rarely, cancers of the cervix, vulva,
anus, and penis.
- Although infection is usually self-limited, genital
warts have a high recurrence rate after treatment.
| Most women infected with high-risk HPV
types have no Pap test abnormalities and do not develop
cervical cancer. |
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Transmission
The following transmission-related issues should be discussed with patients:
- Determining source of infection is usually difficult; infection is not evidence of infidelity.
- Recurrences usually are not re-infection.
- Transmission risk to current and future partners is
unclear.
- HPV infections can occur in male and female genital
areas that are not covered by a latex condom, as well as
in areas that are covered.
- While the effect of condoms in preventing human
papillomavirus infection is unknown, condom use has been
associated with lower rates of genital warts and
cervical cancer, both HPV-associated diseases.
- The likelihood of transmission and duration of
infectivity after treatment are unknown.
- The value of disclosing a past diagnosis of genital
HPV infection to future partners is unclear, although
candid discussions about past STD should be encouraged
and attempted whenever possible.
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