The meaning of HPV is Human Papillomavirus. This is the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is a viral infection that commonly causes skin or mucous membrane growth (warts). HPV infection is usually harmless and goes away by itself but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts. There are over 100 types of HPV, including strains of HPV that cause warts on your hands, feet, face etc. About 30 HPV strains can affect your genitals, including your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and scrotum, as well as your rectum and anus.
TRANSMISSION
HPV infection occurs when the virus enters your body, usually through a cut, abrasion or small tear in your skin. The virus is transferred primarily by skin-to-skin contact. Genital HPV infections are contracted through sexual intercourse, anal sex and other skin- to-skin contact in the genital region. Some HPV infection that result in oral or upper respiratory lesions are contracted through oral sex. If you are pregnant and have an HPV infection with genital warts, it's possible your baby may get the infection which may cause a noncancerous growth in the baby's voice box (larynx). Warts are contagious. They can spread through direct contact with a wart. Warts can also spread when someone touches something that already touched a wart.
RISK FACTORS
HPV can infect anyone regardless of their sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. But some factors that can predispose you to HPV include;
⦁ Multiple sexual partners
⦁ Weakened immune system
⦁ Age; mostly occur in adolescents and young adults.
⦁ Personal contact with a wart or when you touched a place or anything that has had contact with a wart.
⦁ Damaged skin
SYMPTOMS OF HPV
HPV that affects your genitals does not usually cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common sign of the virus is warts in your genital area. Genital warts are rough, cauliflower- like lumps that grow on your skin. They may appear weeks, months or even years after you have been infected with HPV. Genital warts are contagious (like all forms of HPV) but they are harmless.
High- risk forms of HPV often do not cause symptoms until they have progressed to cancer. HPV- related cancers include; cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancers, anal cancers, penile cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.
TREATMENT OF HPV
HPV has no cure. Most often HPV goes away on its own. If HPV does not go away on its own, there are treatments for the genital warts and other health problems caused by HPV.
PREVENTION OF HPV
There are two main ways to prevent HPV; Getting an HPV vaccine and practicing safe sex.
HPV Vaccine
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the HPV Vaccine be given to girls and boys between ages of 11 and 12. It can be given as early as age 9. It's ideal for girls and boys to receive the vaccine before they have sexual contact and are exposed to HPV. Research has shown that receiving the vaccine at a young age is not linked to an earlier start of sexual activity. Once someone is infected with HPV, the vaccine might not be as effective. Also, response to the vaccine is better at younger ages than it is at older ages.
The CDC recommends that all 11- and- 12-year- olds receive two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart. Younger adolescents ages 9 and 10 and teens ages 13 and 14 also can receive vaccination on the two- dose schedule. Teens and young adults who begin the vaccine series later, at ages 15 through 26, should receive three doses of the vaccine.
If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps;
1. Use condoms and dental dams during sexual contacts.
2. Have sex with only one person and make sure you are the only one your partner have sex with.
3. You and your partner should get tested for STIs.
4. Avoid alcohol and drug abuse.
5. Avoid douching.
REFERENCES
1. HPV and Cancer was originally published by National Cancer Institute.
2. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) published by Planned Parenthood
3. HPV Infection published by Mayoclinic
4. HPV published by Cleveland Clinic
5. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) published by National Health Service - UK
Comments
Post a Comment