What are the symptoms of the HPV virus?
The HPV virus usually does not produce any symptoms. Even if the virus causes changes in skin cells, they are often so minor they are not noticeable (and are not of concern). When the HPV virus does cause noticeable changes, the most common result is genital warts – typically appearing around the anus or on the penis, scrotum (testicles), groin or thighs. These warts can vary in appearance from small, flaky patches to pronounced, raised growths. Genital warts are not serious and can be treated, although they may re-appear if the body’s immune system has not fully suppressed the HPV virus. Rarely, “high-risk” types of HPV can cause certain types of cancer, such as cancer of the penis or anus (with the latter usually occurring in gay, bisexual or HIV-positive men).
