HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a group of over 200 related viruses that can infect humans. Here are the key points about HPV:
- Definition:
- HPV stands for human papillomavirus.
- It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection.
- Types:
- There are over 200 types of HPV.
- About 40 types can infect the genital area.
- Some types are low-risk (can cause warts) while others are high-risk (can cause cancer).
- Transmission:
- Spread through direct sexual contact or intimate skin-to-skin contact.
- Can infect genitals, mouth, and throat.
- Symptoms:
- Most HPV infections have no symptoms and clear on their own.
- Some types can cause genital warts.
- High-risk types can lead to certain cancers if the infection persists.
- Health impacts:
- Low-risk types (e.g., 6 and 11) can cause genital warts.
- High-risk types (e.g., 16 and 18) can lead to cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and throat.
- Prevention:
- HPV vaccines can protect against the most common cancer-causing types.
- Condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of transmission.
- Screening:
- Regular cervical cancer screening (Pap smears and/or HPV tests) is important for early detection of cell changes.
- Treatment:
- There’s no cure for the virus itself, but treatments are available for the health problems HPV can cause.
HPV is very common, with most sexually active people getting at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. While most infections clear on their own, persistent infections with high-risk types can lead to serious health issues, making prevention and regular screening important.
Citations:
[1] https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv
[2] https://medlineplus.gov/hpv.html
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448132/
[4] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/
[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596
[6] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer
[7] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus
[8] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9998-eczema