What are the symptoms of HPV infection in children

When children are infected with HPV, they are infected with genital warts, which is a serious sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papillomavirus. Children often develop this disease due to indirect transmission. Papules and plaques often appear, and the skin color will appear red. Sometimes its incubation period is relatively long. After the onset of the disease, it is relatively harmful to the child's physical health. Let us understand its specific symptoms.

What are the symptoms of HPV infection in children

Genital warts in children may appear as papules, plaques, nipple-like or cauliflower-like growths that are skin-colored or red with a moist surface. The incubation period ranges from a few weeks to several years, but most cases are within 3 months. However, the symptoms of genital warts in children may be more obvious than those in adults, and they are more likely to develop secondary bacterial infections. Data show that the younger the child with genital warts is, the longer he or she will carry HPV (regardless of whether or not there are symptoms). The main sites of occurrence of genital warts in children are the vulva, urethral orifice, vaginal orifice, foreskin and perianal area. Foreign reports show that the most common site of genital warts in male children is around the anus.

In addition, genital warts in children are more common in the throat and mouth, especially in infants under 3 years old, genital warts almost always occur in the throat. Some children's genital warts occur in the throat, mainly in the vocal cords, glottis, laryngeal ventricle, etc. Other sites where genital warts may occur include the gums, frenulum, upper lip, palatoglossal arch, labia majora and minora, urethral orifice, foreskin, and perineum. In addition to the above-mentioned parts, it has been reported that some children's genital warts are also found in the navel, buttocks, groin, thighs, neck, ears, hands and feet.

Causes

The cause of genital warts is human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly HPV6, HPV11 and HPV16. Genital warts in children are usually caused by non-sexual contact transmission, and a history of genital warts in the child's parents and family members is the main factor in children's genital warts infection. In summary, the possible transmission routes of genital warts are: 1. HPV infection in pregnant women is transmitted to the fetus through the placenta during pregnancy. 2. The fetus is infected by swallowing amniotic fluid containing HPV. 3. Infants and young children are infected when passing through the birth canal infected with genital warts or HPV. 4. Children are infected through close contact with patients with genital warts or HPV infections, such as their parents, other family members, nannies, and preschool teachers in daily life. These contacts may be genital warts lesions, lesion secretions, and clothes and towels contaminated with HPV.

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