Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease and is the name for a group of viruses that includes more than 100 types, more than 40 of which can be transmitted through sexual contact, and 14 of which cause cervical cancer.
Transmission:
HPV may be transmitted by:
- Having sex with someone who has the virus.
- Touching the skin closely during sex.
- Touching the genitals, as a man doesn't need to ejaculate for HPV to spread.
- Giving birth to a child from a woman (very rare).
A person with HPV can pass the infection on to someone even when they don't have signs or symptoms.
Symptoms:
Most people with HPV do not know they have the infection, as they do not develop symptoms or health problems, as a result:
- Some people detect HPV infection when they have genital warts.
- Women may find out they have HPV when they develop more serious problems (such as cervical cancer).
- Symptoms can develop years after having sex with someone who has the infection. This makes it hard to know when you first got it.
Complications
In most cases, HPV disappears on its own within two years without health problems, but when it does not disappear, it can cause health problems:
- Genital warts.
- Penile cancer in men.
- Anal cancer in both women and men.
- Oral and pharyngeal cancer.
Treatment:
There is no cure for the virus itself, however there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause:
- Genital warts can go away with treatment or prescription medications. If left untreated, genital warts may disappear, remain the same, or increase in size or number.
- Cervical cancer can be treated, especially if it is detected early during screening.
- Other cancers linked to HPV are also more treatable when detected and treated early.
Prevention:
- Get the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer, genital warts, and some other rare cancers.
- Get routine screening for cervical cancer even when you get the vaccine.
- Be in a long-term relationship (married) with a partner who doesn't have the disease.
- Use condoms correctly, knowing that they can infect areas not covered by the condom.
- Make sure you and your partner are tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
- Avoid alcohol or drugs, which can increase your risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
The steps work best when used together, and no single step can protect against every type of sexually transmitted disease.
Categories allowed to take the HPV vaccine:
- All adolescents (males and females) aged 11 or 12 years.
- Everyone up to age 26 years, if not already vaccinated.
- Vaccination against HPV in adults aged 27-45 years provides less benefit in this age group.
- There is not enough research to prove whether the HPV vaccine is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.