So, how long can HPV symptoms begin to appear after sex?
Men and women are equally at risk for HPV infection
We have thought that HPV infection can only affect 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 confirms that men and women can both get HPV infection and the 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 the infection.
People who have weak immune systems tend to be more susceptible to infection with the HPV virus, regardless of gender.
When did HPV symptoms begin to appear after sex?
Many people are not aware that they have been infected with HPV. The reason is, this disease generally does not cause symptoms that look meaningful until the virus has actually developed and spread in the body.
Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, a lecturer in the faculty of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, revealed that most cases of sexually transmitted diseases usually begin to show symptoms within 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 the long time the emergence of symptoms of HPV itself is not always the same for 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 occur first and most noticeably.
Warts start from small wounds that grow larger and form small bumps on the skin. In women, warts usually appear on 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 a symptom of HPV. Both men and women, warts can also appear on the hands, feet, or face even though not always.
However, the appearance of genital warts does not always be a sure sign of HPV infection. If you find a wart that suddenly grows in any part of the body, you should consult a doctor to find out the exact cause and treatment.
How to treat HPV infection?
Generally mild HPV infection can go away on its own without special treatment. Your doctor may only advise you to do a follow-up check in the next six months. The aim is to ascertain whether HPV infection is still present and as far as its development in the body.
If the doctor suspects that HPV symptoms have developed sufficiently severe in the body, the doctor will adjust the treatment depending on the problem that arises and what type of HPV virus is attacking.
The most important thing is the precaution before getting sick. Getting HPV vaccination is a proven method for creating protection against HPV infection and the risk of cervical cancer. In addition, make sure you always practice safe sex.
