SHARES
HPV infections from the Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are the main cause behind genital warts, cervical cancer, oral cancer and urological cancers in both men and women. The HPV virus is also the most common sexually transmitted infection. The estimate is that 79 million Americans have HPV infection, with most of them being in their late teens or early twenties. In fact, it is so common that most sexually active people will contract it at some point in life.
Virus transmission is via through skin-to-skin contact. There are over 100 varieties of HPV, with more than 40 varieties being transmitted through sexual contact, such as vaginal, anal and oral sex. In other words, it is possible to transmit HPV without sexual intercourse. In rare cases, mothers infected with HPV can transmit the virus to her baby during delivery.
Symptoms of HPV infection
Individuals infected with HPV may not have any health problems, with up to 90 % of infections resolving on its own within two years. Nevertheless, an asymptomatic individual can still infect others during this dormant period. In some cases, the symptoms may surface years after, making it difficult to know when the patient first contracted the infection.
Untreated HPV infection can lead to genital warts – single bumps, or clusters of bumps that resembles cauliflower. Genital warts can appear at the groin, anus, mouth or throat. In women specifically, these warts may form around the vagina and vulva; in men, warts affect the penis, scrotum and thigh region.
As a long term outlook, untreated HPV infection can lead to cancers of the cervix, anus and throat after 10 to 30 years. Cancers caused by HPV infection affects 35,000 Americans annually. Often, these cancers do not show symptoms until later stages.
Genital Warts in Female and Male
Detection of HPV infection
To date, there are no tests to determine if someone has a HPV infection. Furthermore, there are also no approved HPV test to find HPV in the mouth or throat. However, HPV test and Pap test for the cervix are available. An HPV test detects HPV in the cervix, while the Pap test screens for cancerous cells in the cervical cells.
Prevention of HPV infection and complications
As HPV is passed around through sexual contact, using a condom and practising safe sex can be useful to protect from HPV transmission.
Moreover, effective vaccination can provide protection from cancers caused by HPV infection. Since the first HPV vaccination was recommended in 2006, 86 % reduction in vaccine-covered HPV strains have been observed among American teenage girls. Furthermore, now all HPV vaccines protect against two HPV strains, HPV 16 and 18. Both HPV 16 and 18 strains are responsible for more than 70 % of cervical cancer, while HPV 16 accounts for 95 % of anal cancers. Today, HPV vaccines are improved to cover even more HPV strains to provide wider protection.
Conclusion
Human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission is mainly through direct sexual contact. Although HPV infection may resolve without treatment in most individuals, it can cause serious health problems in the long term. Protect yourself and your loved one with HPV vaccination and cervical screening for early detection of cervical cancer. Consult a doctor today for a vaccination and do not skip your Pap test and HPV test.
Further read:
Find an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in Singapore, on GetDoc
by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
