Human Papillomavirus is composed of over 200 viruses, and some of them are responsible for the formation of warts and cancers. It is validated as one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world. Even though HPV is common, there is a lot of confusion over the symptoms of the condition and also the general effects of HPV on people’s health. In the article below, we are going to talk about every aspect of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), ranging from its types and threats to casual diagnosis, situation treatment, and prevention methods.
What Is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV is a virus that affects the skin and mucous membranes, including the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and even parts of the throat. There are over 200 exclusively different strains of HPV, which are generally divided into two main groups: low-risk and high-risk strains.
HPV is transmitted mostly through direct contact with the skin, in particular during sex. HPV is an easy virus to spread, and often, people are exposed to HPV during their life span. For most, the virus is eliminated by their immune system and no damage is done, although some HPV strains can become more serious issues, like cancers.
Types of HPV: Low-Risk and High-Risk Strains
The two classifications for HPV include low-risk and high-risk.
Low-Risk HPV Strains
However, even though low-risk HPV is not implicated in the development of cancer, it can cause benign development of warts. Genital warts can develop because of low-risk HPV or high-risk HPV, or warts can occur elsewhere in the body, such as on the hands, feet or whatever. Low-risk HPV infections will not cause life-threatening complications, yet they will not fail to cause discomfort and emotional disturbance.
High-Risk HPV Strains
Most cervical, anal, and throat cancers’ cause is attributed to high-risk HPV strains. People may not necessarily have any signs of infection of such strains at first, and the vomit may stay in the body for years before cancerous changes develop. Out of all the high-risk HPV strains, those that are critically important can be HPV 16 and HPV 18.
| Strain Type | Examples | Associated Health Issues |
| Low-Risk HPV | HPV 6, HPV 11 | Genital warts, warts on hands or feet |
| High-Risk HPV | HPV 16, HPV 18 | Cervical cancer, throat cancer, anal cancer |
Who Can Be Affected by HPV?
It does not matter a person’s gender; anyone who engages in sexual activity should be worried about HPV. HPV is the most commonest STI and almost all sexually active people will get exposed to it at least once, even with only one sexual partner. The virus can be spread through vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex, or by direct skin-on-skin contact.
HPV is more common in individuals who are
- It is people in the young adult category, particularly between the ages of 15 and 25 years, who are most likely affected.
- Individuals with multiple sexual partners.
- Those that have weakened immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS patients.
Although men and women can be exposed to HPV, women, particularly at the age when they are about to reach the age of 30 years, have a higher chance of adverse consequences of high-risk HPV, including cervical cancer.
Symptoms of HPV
The overwhelming majority of people infected with HPV are unaware of their infection and show no symptoms. Because it can remain undetected for many years, many of those living with HPV are unaware they carry the infection. However, certain strains of the virus are able to cause symptoms and include
1. Genital Warts
Little bumps or lumps can appear on the genital area, anus, or mouth called genital warts. Low-risk HPV strains such as HPV 6 and HPV 11 are the usual stimuli that call for them. Genital warts can be found as small, irregular bumps and cause an itching or uncomfortable sensation.
2. Respiratory Papillomatosis
This rare condition includes warts that come up in the airways, obstructing normal breathing. The prime causative factors are HPV 6 and HPV 11.
3. Cancerous Growths
The carcinogenic potential of HPV 16 and HPV 18 can lead to malignant growths primarily in the cervix, anus or throat. Often times the red flags of cancer are lost until the disease is in a more advanced stage.
Health Impacts of HPV
In a lot of cases, HPV doesn’t even cause major health issues at all; however, there are some high-risk types that can pose serious health risks. The greatest danger that HPV can be the cause of is the possibility of inducing some cancers.
HPV causes most cases of the following types of cancer:
- Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer is the most common reported HPV-related cancer. Combined, HPV 16 and HPV 18 cause approximately 70% of cervical cancer in the world.
- Anal Cancer: Receptive anal sex and an impaired immune system can both raise the chances of one person developing anal cancer from HPV.
- Throat Cancer: There is a high likelihood of oropharyngeal cancers, which specifically target the tonsils and the back of the throat, owing to HPV.
- Penile Cancer: Although HPV high-risk strains are associated with penile cancer, penile cancer is less common than cervical and anal cancer.
- Vulvar and Vaginal Cancer: Women who have higher-risk HPV strains have a greater chance of contracting vulvar and vaginal cancers.
Other Health Impacts
Other health problems related to HPV involve genital warts, often problematic breathing due to respiratory papillomatosis, and other HPV diseases.
- Genital warts: Low-risk strains of HPV can cause genital warts that result in actual pain and suffering and/or emotional problems.
- Respiratory papillomatosis: A disease where warts will appear in the respiratory system, causing possible hindrance to normal breathing.
HPV Testing and Diagnosis
The method used for HPV testing will depend on individual cases as follows:
- Pap Smear (Pap Test): The Pap smear tests cervical cells for any changes that may suggest that one has high-risk HPV. It is a part of the conventional procedures of detecting cervical cancer in women.
- HPV DNA Test: The test is used to determine whether high-risk strains of HPV exist in the cervix. It is usually combined with a Pap smear for women beyond 30 years or when abnormal Pap test results are present.
- Visual Inspection: A doctor sometimes identifies genital warts by a direct physical examination of skin and mucous membranes.
| Test Type | Purpose | Commonly Used For |
| Pap Smear | Detects abnormal cells caused by HPV | Cervical cancer screening |
| HPV DNA Test | Detects high-risk HPV strains | Cervical cancer risk |
| Visual Inspection | Identifies visible warts or papillomas | Diagnosing genital warts |
HPV Vaccines and Prevention
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent HPV infection. The HPV vaccine protects against the most common high-risk and low-risk strains, significantly reducing the risk of developing HPV-related cancers and warts.
Types of HPV Vaccines
- Gardasil: Protects against HPV 6, HPV 11, HPV 16, and HPV 18, which are the strains responsible for most HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
- Cervarix: Focuses on HPV 16 and HPV 18, two strains most commonly associated with cervical cancer.
- Gardasil 9: An updated version that protects against 9 strains of HPV, including HPV 16 and HPV 18.
The HPV vaccine is typically given to children and young adults before they become sexually active, but it can also be given to older adults who have not been vaccinated.
Other Preventive Measures
- Condom Use: While condoms cannot fully prevent HPV transmission, they significantly reduce the risk of infection by providing a barrier to genital contact.
- Limiting Sexual Partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners can lower the risk of contracting HPV
Treatment of Human Papillomavirus
While HPV itself is noncurable, there are diverse therapies for treating the health issues associated with it.
- Genital Warts: Wart removal can be achieved through topical applications (example: imiquimod/podophyllin), cryotherapy or laser techniques.
- Cancerous Lesions: If abnormal cells develop because of HPV, surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy may be used by the doctor during the course of treatment, depending on the advancement of the cancer.
Prevention of Human Papillomavirus
It is important to prevent HPV, and with some practices, you can reduce your risks of getting infected:
- Vaccination: Starting HPV vaccination before starting sexual life provides the most protection against the virus.
- Condoms: Condoms are effective in reducing the risk of HPV because they cover areas in the body where viruses can be present.
- Regular Screening: Women are encouraged to undergo regular Pap smears and HPV tests to screen for the early indication of abnormal cell multiplication, which may be cancerous.
When to Consult a Doctor
If you are experiencing any of the following, contact a healthcare provider:
- Warts or other abnormal growths, which can be seen anywhere on your body.
- Bleeding or discharge, especially abnormal discharge from the vagina.
- In case you experience problems involving swallowing and breathing and have warts in your throat.
- Cervical screening is advised for sexually active women after reaching 21 of age, regardless of the presence of symptoms.
Conclusion
HPV is one of the most common viruses in the world. Though most HPV infections are benign and self-limiting, some high-risk strains can cause cancer and genital warts. Early detection of HPV, prophylaxis from infection by vaccination, and encouraging preventive measures are essential in reducing its public health burden.
Individuals and healthcare professionals must understand HPV and related risks to adequately fight HPV and its spread. The active measures can be helpful for a person to protect himself and others from the risks caused by HPV.
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