What are the signs of HPV infection?

In the majority of cases, HPV is not dangerous and usually causes no symptoms at all. In some cases, however, this viral infection causes cell changes detectable by Pap smear. If many years have elapsed before treatment is started, the chance that a normal cell has transformed into a premalignant one is increased. Low-risk HPVs, or the types not causing carcinoma can appear in the form of condiloma. The signs of a HPV infection may appear weeks, months or years after initial infection. Young girls who become infected in their teens may present without any symptoms or any cervical cell changes until their 30ies or 40ies, or even never develop any abnormal cell changes.