*What is HPV?
It stands for Human Papilloma Virus, which infects the genital area and causes genital warts called condyloma acuminata. It has been determined that it plays a leading role in the formation of most of all cervix, vulva and vagina cancers, and also in men. It can lead to penile cancer. There are more than 100 different types, and about 30-40 of them infect the genital tract.
*How do we classify the different types of HPV and do the symptoms or signs caused by these different classes differ?
We divide different HPV types into two groups depending on their oncogenicity, that is, the possibility of causing cancer: high-risk group and low-risk group. HPV types 6 and 11 in the low-risk group are the types responsible for the formation of all genital warts, but at the same time, these two types never cause cancer. Those in the high-risk group, especially HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45 and 58, are responsible for 95% of cervical cancers in the world, of which type 16 is the most carcinogenic.
* How is HPV (human papilloma virus) transmitted?
Transmission occurs through skin, mucosa or body fluid contact, that is, full sexual intercourse is not necessary, but the risk of transmission through sexual intercourse is much higher, the form of intercourse does not affect the risk of transmission much, it is through vaginal intercourse. For example, transmission occurs during anal and oral intercourse, transmission occurs during sexual intercourse, the presence of warts during intercourse increases contagion, and non-sexual transmission of HPV is possible, although rare, such as using a shared toilet or infected objects.
*In which areas can genital warts caused by HPV appear?
Warts can appear in the entire genital area. If these warts are not treated immediately, they can grow and spread rapidly. They can settle outside the vagina, in the area we call the vulva, as well as inside the vagina. . Warts may appear around the anus during anal intercourse and on the oral mucosa during oral intercourse.
*Can a pregnant woman with HPV infect her baby?
Vertical transmission of congenital HPV infection from mother to baby is extremely rare, if it occurs In babies, warts are present at birth or may develop within 1 to 3 years.
*Does HPV infection require cesarean delivery?
No, caesarean section. It is only necessary if there is a large wart in the vagina or at the mouth of the cervix that will prevent the birth of the baby or the opening of the cervix, otherwise normal delivery is recommended.
*Does HPV infection always cause symptoms?
No. It may remain as a latent, silent infection.
*Are there symptoms of HPV other than warts?
This virus can also cause cell changes in the p.smear test, these changed cells are called koilocytosis. These may cause HPV-specific cell changes, as well as carcinogenic cell changes.
*Is HPV infection common?
Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, especially among young people and those under 25 years of age. in women.
*Who is at greater risk of contracting the infection?
The number of sexual partners he has had throughout his life and currently, as this number increases, the risk also increases and the partner has multiple partners. Having sexual intercourse with many women or having sex with many women is also a risk factor. Also, having an early age at first sexual intercourse is a risk factor. HPV may be suspected, but the definitive diagnosis of HPV can be made by detecting HPV DNA. The most commonly used technique today is hybrid capture 2, but this is an advanced examination and is not a screening or routine test. In practice, if a young woman has a typical wart or HPV-specific cellular changes or cervical cancer on smear cytology, HPV infection is assumed and confirmation by HPV testing is unnecessary.
*Is there a treatment?
There is no definitive treatment for HPV infection. Once the virus is transmitted to the body, it can remain in the body for life or it can limit itself and be eliminated from the body within a few years. This is directly related to the strength of the immune system and the disease-causing power of the virus. In some people, the infection will be permanent or not It is impossible to know. Treatment is only applied to pathological conditions caused by infection. If it is cancer, it is treated for cancer. If it is warts, the warts are treated. Warts can be treated by burning (cauterization), freezing (cryo), laser or creams. Once the warts are treated, they may not appear again for a lifetime. However, it may recur and it needs to be treated every time it recurs. The gynecologist determines the treatment method according to the number, prevalence, size and localization of the wart.
*What are the ways of prevention?
To reduce the risk of contamination. Some precautions can be taken;
1- Making changes in lifestyle:
=Avoiding sexual intercourse with someone who is at risk for HPV or with genital warts.
=Delaying the age of first sexual intercourse.
/> =Limiting the number of sexual partners.
2- Vaccines: vaccines are protective, that is, they do not cure existing HPV infection or warts, but they protect someone who has not encountered the HPV virus against HPV.
The vaccine releases antibodies that neutralize the HPV virus. It prevents the infection from setting in and the development of cervical cancer. As we said before, there are more than 100 HPV types, the vaccine is not effective against all of them, but its protection against the types that most commonly cause warts and cervical cancer in humans is quite high. Large studies have shown that the vaccine is 90-100% protective against genital warts and cervical cancers, including vulva and vagiva, that may be caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
*To whom and up to what age can the vaccine be administered? ?
The vaccination practices recommendation committee recommends that the HPV vaccine should be routinely administered to girls aged 11-12 and that women aged 9-25, whether sexually active or not, should also be vaccinated.
*For those over 25 years of age. Can the vaccine be administered?
Vaccination can be administered until the age of 40, but protection decreases as age progresses.
*For whom does the vaccine provide the most protection?
Administered before the first sexual intercourse. The vaccine can provide almost 100% protection, but a history of sexual intercourse or HPV-related disease does not constitute an obstacle to vaccination because it is unclear whether the HPV types targeted in vaccination have been encountered.
*Do condoms have a place in protection? ?
It has been determined that condoms are not very effective in protecting against HPV.
*Is there anything you can do to protect yourself from cervical cancer caused by HPV?
periodically Gynecological examination is very important, all sexually active women In the following years, one should go to the gynecologist at least once a year and undergo a periodic gynecological examination, and he/she should definitely have a pap smear test at least once a year. Women carrying HPV need to be more careful about this issue. They need to have a Pap smear test at least twice. If the Pap smear result is incorrect, the frequency of smearing is increased and the necessary treatments are arranged.
Read: 0
