HPV
What is HPV?
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It should never be confused with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), something completely different. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus. It is so common, in fact, that approximately 75 percent of adults who are sexually active have it or will get it.
Ironically, many people never hear about HPV until they receive the diagnosis. This is starting to change because of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil. Up until now, many doctors have been unwilling to educate their patients about HPV and the risks associated with it. Reasons for this can be that doctors have been embarrassed to discuss it with their patients, they may have chosen not to discuss it because there is no treatment for the virus itself (there is only treatment for the diseases caused by it), or doctors just may have not known enough about HPV to talk about it.
There are different types of HPV. HPV causes precancerous cervical disease also known as cervical dysplasia. HPV causes genital warts. HPV also causes cervical cancer.
HPV types 6 and 11 are low risk types. They are rarely found in cervical cancer. Instead, these types typically cause genital warts.
HPV types 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68 are intermediate risk types. They are found in approximately 25% of cervical cancers. These types are rarer than the high-risk types of HPV.
HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 45 are considered high-risk types. They are found in approximately 75% of cervical cancers. The most common of the high-risk types of HPV are 16 and 18.
What causes HPV?
HPV is spread through genital-to-genital sexual contact. Although possible, it is not likely that HPV will be spread through oral sex.
Does HPV lead to Cervical Cancer?
HPV can lead to Cervical Cancer depending upon which type of the virus has been transmitted. HPV types 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68 (intermediate risk types) are found in approximately 25% of Cervical Cancers. HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 45 (high-risk types) are found in approximately 75% of cervical cancers.
Who is at risk for HPV?
Anyone who has sexual contact with another individual is at risk for HPV. People who have several sexual partners have a higher risk of transmitting HPV because they have more sexual partners. People who begin having sexual intercourse at a young age are more at risk for HPV.
What are the signs and symptoms of HPV?
Most of the time, men and women with HPV do not show any signs or symptoms of HPV. However, some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Genital warts may look like raised, flat, or cauliflower-shaped lesions. The types of HPV that cause Cervical Cancer cannot be detected visually. These types must be detected through a pap smear. The only way HPV can be diagnosed in men is if genital warts appear on the penis.
It is very common for someone to have HPV for several years before ever having symptoms. It is also extremely common to get it from someone who shows no symptoms of having it.
Is HPV curable?
There is no cure for HPV. However, there are treatments available for diseases caused by HPV. There is an HPV vaccine that prevents girls and women who have never been sexually active from transmitting certain types of HPV.
What is the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is Gardasil. This vaccine is a wonderful thing and has received a great deal of press in recent years. Gardasil prevents infection from HPV 6 and HPV 11, which cause genital warts. It also prevents infection from HPV 16 and HPV 18, the types of HPV that cause Cervical Cancer.
Will it cure or prevent HPV or Cervical Cancer?
HPV vaccine Gardasil will not cure or prevent HPV or Cervical Cancer. However, if it is given to girls and women who have never had sex then it will prevent infection by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
