HPV is an abbreviation consisting of the initials of Human Papilloma Virus. Papillomaviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses that form the Papillomavirus genus of the Papillomaviridae family.
Human papillomavirus, or HPV virus infection, is a virus that can cause skin warts, genital warts, and some types of cancer.
You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even if an infected person has no signs or symptoms.
The World Health Organization explained that HPV infection is so common because it can be spread without penetrative intercourse – it can simply be passed through skin-to-skin contact.
You can become infected with HPV without being sexually active – since HPV spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact, it is possible to become infected with HPV without having sexual intercourse.
With infected skin, such as by holding hands for a long time. Prolonged contact may cause transmission of the virus. Most cases of HPV clear up within 1 to 2 years as the immune system fights the virus and eliminates it from the body. After that, the virus disappears and cannot infect others. In extreme cases, HPV can remain dormant in the body for years or even decades.
What Are the Symptoms of HPV Virus Infection?
Some HPV types cause genital warts. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or a group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower, but most people don't show any symptoms when infected with HPV, often the infection clears up on its own.
But in some people, the infection does. It doesn't pass. If this happens it can cause problems, sometimes an abnormal cervical smear can be the first manifestation of HPV. HPV can infect cells in the vagina and around the vulva and cause warts on the vulva. These warts may appear as a cluster that resembles cauliflower.
HPV Types
HPV has more than 200 identified types. type available. High-risk types of HPV include HPV 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of cervical cancers. Other high-risk human papillomaviruses include 31, 33, 45, 52, 58 and several more. Low-risk strains of HPV, such as HPV 6 and 11, cause about 90% of genital warts, which rarely develop into cancer.
Do All Types of HPV Show Symptoms?
In the majority of patients, HPV does not show any symptoms and can be cleared within a few years without showing any changes in the body.
What are the Risks of HPV Virus Infection?
People with long-term HPV infection have a higher chance of developing other health problems. Different types of HPV can cause different problems, some of which can be serious. For example:
An HPV infection in the genitals can cause cancer of the cervix (cancer of the cervix), of the vagina (cancer of the vagina) or of the penis (cancer of the penis). Other types of HPV can cause genital warts.
An HPV infection around the anus can cause cancer of the anus (anal cancer).
An HPV infection in the mouth and throat can cause mouth and throat cancer.
These problems often occur years after a person is first infected.
HPV Virus Infection Diagnosis Methods
There are tests for some types, but There is no test yet that covers all types, especially high-risk HPV types 1, HPV type 16, HPV type 18 and 31, 33, 45 can be tested. In Turkey, since 2015, in the HPV-based cervical cancer screening program, KETEMs and Family Physicians have been able to perform HPV tests and cervical smears.
Your doctor If it confirms that you have genital warts, it means you have HPV infection. This is not the same type of HPV that can cause cancer.
Doctors recommend that anyone with a cervix be screened for cervical cancer. In most cases, this involves having regular Pap tests (sometimes called “Pap smears”) starting at age 21. They may also do anHPV test at this time. Sometimes, HPV t esti alone is used to screen for cervical cancer.
There are no tests to check for genital HPV infection orHPV infection in the mouth or throat in men.
HPV Virus Infection Treatment Methods
Once you have HPV, it is not possible to get rid of it with medications.
HPV infection is causing a more serious problem, your doctor can talk to you about your treatment options.
Can HPV Virus Infection Be Prevented?
Yes. For most people, the best way to protect againstHPV is to get theHPV vaccine. The vaccine only works if it is given before the person becomes infected with HPV. That's why doctors recommend taking it at a young age and recommend that children between the ages of 11 and 12 get vaccinated.
However, it can be given from the age of 9 until the age of 26. In some cases, the vaccine can also help older people.
The vaccine is very effective in preventing the types of HPV infection that can cause cervical and vaginal cancer. It may also reduce the risk of other types of cancer. The vaccine is also effective in preventing the types of HPV that cause genital warts.
Condoms do not provide complete protection against HPV. This is because the virus can live on skin that is not covered by a condom. But condoms are still an important way to protect yourself against other sexually transmitted diseases.
Read: 0
