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What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 02:29:05 UTC

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly sexually transmitted STI. Nearly 80 million people are currently infected with HPV, and about 14 million new infections occur each year. There are more than 200 types of HPV. About 40 of those infect the genital area (vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, and scrotum) as well as mouth and throat. Most HPV infections aren’t harmful and clear up on its own in 1 to 2 years. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer in the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth, and throat.

Which pathogen causes HPV?

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 02:30:08 UTC

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a small, non-enveloped deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus that infects skin or mucosal cells. The circular, double-stranded viral genome is approximately 8-kb in length.

Symptoms of HPV

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 02:31:17 UTC

Most people with HPV do not know they have the infection. They never develop symptoms or health problems from it.

Infection with low-risk HPV may cause warts on or around the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat.
Infection with high-risk HPV does not cause symptoms. However, depending on the site of infection, the precancers and cancers caused by a high-risk HPV infection that persists for many years may cause symptoms such as lumps, bleeding, and pain.

HPV effects on newborns

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 02:31:49 UTC

The risk of HPV transmission to the baby during childbirth is very low. Even if a newborn were to contract the HPV virus, their bodies usually clear the virus on their own. Most of the time, a baby born to a woman with genital warts does not have HPV-related complications.

Long term effects of HPV

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 02:32:08 UTC

Long-lasting infections with a high-risk HPV infection can cause cancer in parts of the body where HPV infects cells.

Treatment of HPV

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 02:32:37 UTC

There is currently no cure for an existing HPV infection, but for most people it can be cleared by their own immune system. However, there are treatments available for the symptoms that HPV can cause such as genital warts.

Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider with creams, cryotherapy or laser.

Prevention of HPV

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 03:19:40 UTC

Get vaccinated. HPV vaccines can prevent most cases of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers.

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Protection from HPV

lakynbirks — 2023-11-18 19:57:51 UTC

Use condoms. Consistent condom use can protect women from HPV infection.
Avoid direct contact. The surest way to prevent genital HPV infection is to refrain from any genital contact with another person.
Get tested. HPV infections can be diagnosed with a Pap test, which checks for cancer or precancerous changes of the cervix, or a molecular test that looks for HPV DNA