A 20-year-old female university student in Taiwan was shocked to learn she had contracted human papillomavirus (HPV), commonly known as genital warts, despite having never had sexual intercourse or a boyfriend. Upon diagnosis, the student broke down in tears, confused about how she could have acquired the virus.
Family physician Dr. Liu Pengchi shared the case on a health program, explaining that the student initially noticed unusual growths near her anus. The doctor initially suspected hemorrhoids and prescribed a topical ointment for two weeks, but the condition did not improve.
Subsequent internal examination confirmed the growths were HPV-related warts. The student then recalled that during a trip to Thailand, she had used public massage and spa facilities, which may have been the source of infection.
Dr. Liu explained key points about HPV:
- HPV infection is not always transmitted sexually; it can spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces.
- The virus can have a latent period, making it difficult to detect immediately after infection.
- HPV is difficult to eliminate completely. Larger lesions may require cauterization, while smaller ones can be treated with antiviral ointments.
- A weakened immune system increases the risk of recurrence, and the virus can remain dormant for life.
Public Facilities Pose Hidden Risks
Dr. Liu highlighted four “high-risk areas” in public bathing and spa facilities:
- Public bath seats: Sitting on chairs or benches previously used by others, especially with minor skin breaks, can allow virus transmission.
- Wet floors: Walking barefoot on damp floors with small cuts may lead to infection.
- Shared plastic slippers: Poorly cleaned slippers can spread fungal infections like athlete’s foot or nail fungus.
- Shared towels and hairdryers: Contact with contaminated towels or blowing air directly on private areas may transmit viruses or bacteria, particularly if there are wounds or mucous membrane exposure.
Dr. Liu advised individuals to bring personal towels, avoid direct contact with high-risk surfaces, and ensure private areas are protected in public spa and bath environments to reduce infection risks.
