In this blog, I will discuss HPV which is a common infection and yet sometimes a confusing subject. HPV is a topic which I discuss with my patients quite often as a Women’s Healthcare Provider here in Wyoming. Today we will go over an explanation of HPV, the risks, testing and treatment of this virus. For further information on this topic or other Women's Healthcare issues, please do not hesitate to contact me at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus is a very common infection that can be passed from person to person. Some types of HPV are spread through sexual contact. Studies suggest that at least three out of every four people who have sex will get a genital HPV infection at some time during their lifetime. Sexually transmitted HPV can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital areas of a woman or a man. Like many other sexually transmitted infections(STI s), there often are no signs of genital HPV. However, a few types of HPV cause genital warts. Warts that grow in the genital area are called condyloma acuminata. These growths may appear on the outside or inside of the vagina or on the penis and can spread to nearby skin. Genital warts also can grow around the anus, on the vulva, or on the cervix. Genital warts are usually not cancerous. Warts can be treated with medication applied to the area or surgery to remove them. The type of treatment depends on where the warts are located.
HPV and Cancer Risk
Some types of HPV cause cancer of the cervix. HPV also may be linked to cancer of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis and throat. Cervical cancer develops over a long time. HPV causes cells on or around the cervix to become abnormal. In some cases, these cells may progress to precancer (changes in the cells that can become cancer). Most of the time, however, abnormal cells go away without treatment. A pap test, sometimes called cervical cytology screening, is the best way do detect cell changes that may be an early sign of precancer of the cervix.
Although certain types of HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, very few women with HPV develop this type of cancer. Talk with your healthcare provider if you think you are at risk.
Here are some of the potential signs or indicators that you may be at risk for cancer of the cervix.
An HPV infection
You have been previously treated for cancer or precancer
You have Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection
You have a weakened immune system( for instance, because you have had a kidney transplant)
You were exposed to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
Testing for HPV
A Pap test can detect changes in the cells of the cervix that could signal precancer. For this test, a sample of cells is taken from the cervix and sent to a lab fpr evaluation. Women who have a cervix should have their first Pap test at the age of 21 years. They need to be tested every 3 years until they are 30 years of age. Women who are 30 years or older and have three or more normal test results in a row can be tested once every 3 tp 5 years. Women older than 30 years may have an HPV tesat the same time as a Pap test. If the results of both tests are normal, these women do not need to have another Pap test or HPV test for at least 3 to 5 years.
If your Pap test shows that abnormal cells are present, your Healthcare Provider will suggest follow-up. This may include repeat Pap testing, HPV testing, colposcoopy, or biopsy.
Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is very common in both women and men. More than 100 types of this virus have been identified. As we discussed, some types of this virus are spread from person to person through sexual contact and a few types have been linked to cancer.
Although there is a vaccine, There is NO CURE for HPV.
Prevention is the key for not acquiring this virus. Young women and men can prevent certain types of HPV infection by being vaccinated. You can also decrease your risk of infection by avoiding contact with with the virus. In order to accomplish this and lower your chance of infection, here are a couple of tips:
-Limit your number of sexual partners. The more partners you have the greater your risk of infection.
-Use condoms to reduce your risk of infection when you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Condoms also help protect against other STI s. However, condoms cannot fully protect you against HPV infection. HPV can be passed from person to person by touching infected areas not covered by a condom. These areas may include skin in the genital or anal areas, as well as the the mouth, throat and neck.
About the HPV Vaccine
A vaccine is available that protects against the seven types of HPV that cause the most cases of cervical cancer and the two types that cause the most cases of genital warts. The vaccine triggers the immune system to fight off these viruses if she/he is exposed to them.
The HPV vaccine is given in two doses over a 6-month period and is recommended as a routine vaccination for all girls aged 11-12 years of age. However, it can be given to girls and boys as young as 9 years old. Individuals ages 13-45 years who have either not yet received the vaccine or have not completed all doses also should be vaccinated with three doses given over one year. It is best to get the vaccine before you start having sex. However, women and men can have the vaccine even if they have already had sex and been infected with HPV. This is because the vaccine can protect individuals with one type of HPV from getting other types of HPV. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women, but is safe for women who are breastfeeding. You do not need to be tested for HPV before you get vaccinated. Because this vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV, women who are vaccinated should still have regular Pap tests. The vaccine is not a treatment for current HPV infection and will not prevent all cases of cervical cancer or genital warts.
To Review:
Some types of HPV infection spread from person to person through sexual contact. To lower your risk of infection, limit your number of sexual partners and use condoms. If you are younger than age 45 years you should have the HPV vaccine to help protect you from infection. Regular Pap tests and any follow-up that your Healthcare Provider recommends are the best ways to prevent percancer and cancer.
I hope this information has been helpful- Stay healthy!
Comments