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HPV: What is it?

 

  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease. In the United States, 79 million people are infected with these viruses. Each year, 14 million new infections are reported.
  • HPV infection is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sexual contact. It can rarely be transmitted from an infected mother to a baby during vaginal birth.
  • Most HPV infections do not show any symptoms and manifest through changes in the cervix. In some patients, it can cause genital warts and a burning sensation in the vagina.
  • Most HPV infections are cleared by the body’s immune system. High-risk HPV infections can lead to precancerous lesions of the cervix.
  • Persistent high-risk HPV virus infections can lead to cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and oral cavity cancers.
  • The diagnosis of HPV infection can be made by detecting abnormal findings in a simple Pap smear. A definitive diagnosis of HPV is made by performing HPV DNA testing and typing.
  • There is no specific treatment for HPV infection. Treatment is targeted towards lesions. Strengthening the immune system can often completely eliminate the virus.
  • 80-90% of patients infected with HPV become HPV-negative within two years (meaning they completely clear the virus from their bodies).
  • HPV types 16 and 18 are positive in 70% of cervical cancers.
  • Both HPV vaccines on the market contain types 16 and 18. The newly introduced nine-valent vaccine also includes these types.
  • The HPV vaccine is an inactivated virus vaccine administered into the muscle, usually the arm. The target age group for the vaccine is girls and boys aged 11-12. However, women up to the age of 45 can receive the vaccine if they are not infected with HPV.
  • Studies have shown that in women who complete the vaccine regimen, it prevents cervical changes for more than 8 years. In men, it has been observed to prevent genital warts by 89% and anal cancer by 78%.
  • The vaccine does not provide protection against all types. Vaccinated women should still undergo regular Pap smears.