Medical Definition

• HPV, or human papillomavirus, typically infect the genitals, hands or feet and there are 100 known types of this virus. Some strains can cause warts, which look like bumps or growths and come in various shapes and sizes from small to large, short to raised, and single or many. Spotting one is difficult since some blend with the color of flesh and are filled by whitish fluid. A person contracts and/or transmits HPV usually through sexual contact or during childbirth. Most infections show no obvious signs or symptoms due to the fact that there may be no visible or physical symptoms. .
  
  

Duration

• HPV often times appears for females on or near the vulva, vagina, cervix or anus and for males around the penis, scrotum or anus. Normal incubation period for the virus in the body lasts between six to eight months. Warts appear after this time and may last from one to two years without treatment and eventually go away on their own. HPV with various treatments may disappear after one to three weeks depending on the strain. Common treatments are ointments, lotions and plasters, and for more serious cases surgery or stronger topical medications may be needed.
  
  

Prevention

• One step to preventing the spread of HPV is to avoid contact with someone known to have an outbreak of HPV on their skin at the time. Picking or filing the wart may spread the condition to other parts of the body. Hand washing helps to clean the area when in contact with someone who has warts. The use of condoms during sex also helps to reduce the chances of contracting HPV. Seek medical advice from a physician if there is pain from the warts, signs of an infection, changes in the warts' appearance and/or the patient has a weakened immune system.