HPV infection

HPV infection is a viral infection and one of the most common genital infections, caused by a group of very common viruses around the world. Most often, HPV infection doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms or health problems, but some types of HPV can lead to genital warts or cervical cancer.

A test performed on women aged 21 years or older is an effective way to prevent cervical cancer.

What Are the Types of HPV?

There are over 100 types of HPV, which are passed through sexual contact and can lead to genital warts, growth of abnormal cells in the cervix, or cervical cancer.

Types	What they cause
6 and 11	90% of genital warts. These strains do not cause cervical cancer.
16 and 18	At least 70% of cervical cancer cases. They are considered the most dangerous of all HPV strains.
31, 33, 45, 52 and 58	Other high-risk types that cause 19% of cervical cancer cases.
35, 39, 51, 56 and 59	Less common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

How Is HPV Transmitted?

HPV is mostly sexually transmitted. It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact or any kind of contact with the genital area, such as touching an infected person’s genitals.

• HPV cannot be transmitted through touching surfaces, such as a toilet seat.
• HPV can still be transmitted from one person to another, even if the infected person is showing no symptoms.

How Does Infection Happen?

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, including contact with the genital area.

What Are the Risk Factors?

• Coming in contact with the infected person’s warts.
• A weakened immunity.

Genital Warts

The types of HPV that cause genital warts are mostly transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.

	Where warts can appear
Women	In the entire genital area, including on the vulva, inside the vagina, and in or around the anus.
Men	On the penis and scrotum or around the anus.

What Are the Symptoms?

Most HPV patients don’t suffer from any significant symptoms or health problems. Often, the body clears the HPV infection on its own in a couple of years. However, in some cases, the infection might last longer and could cause some types of cancer and other diseases.

When Should You See a Doctor?

When painful warts are noticed.

How Does HPV Lead to Cervical Cancer?

Complications of HPV infection: cervical cancer.

Most HPV-positive cases are cleared on their own within a year or two. In some cases, the infection could be chronic and develop into cervical cancer.

• In women with a normal immune system: cervical changes that lead to cancer could take 15 to 20 years to occur.
• In women with weakened immunity: these changes may take between 5 to 10 years to happen.

How Is HPV Diagnosed?

Some screenings are available to detect HPV, including:

• Pap test: Regular Pap tests can help identify abnormal cells and keep track of any unusual changes that could signal cervical cancer.

Is There a Treatment?

There is no cure for HPV itself. However, there are treatments available for the problems that it may cause, which include:

• Genital warts: They may be visible, grow more, or go away on their own. They can be treated when they appear.
• Abnormal cervical cells: These cells can be treated to prevent cervical cancer from developing. However, treatment depends on the severity of cell changes, the age of the woman, her medical history, and other test results.
• Cervical cancer: It remains one of the most treatable kinds of cancer when diagnosed and treated early.

How Can HPV Be Prevented?

• Initial HPV prevention can be through the HPV vaccine for girls who are 11 or 12 years of age. They can also receive the HPV vaccine at the age of 9 years old.
• Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should undergo a cervical test every 3 years, alongside Pap tests.
• Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should undergo a Pap test every 5 years, alongside an HPV test.

Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?

Yes, it can be prevented through regular Pap tests carried out at the proper age, and closely watching changes in the cervix.

Misconceptions and Facts

Misconception: HPV can be treated with vaccination.
Fact: There is no vaccine for HPV with the purpose of treating cervical, anal and other cancers. However, the vaccine prevents some types of HPV that are more likely to cause these types of cancer.