Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that infects 80 percent of sexually active individuals at some point in their lives. While the virus has the potential to cause serious health problems, there are various effective ways to avoid, diagnose, and cure it.
HPV vaccinations can help avoid some of the health problems caused by the virus. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about sexually transmitted infections, especially HPV. That’s why we have gathered these six facts about human papillomavirus that everyone should know about.
1. HPV is extremely common
HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted virus (disease) in the United States, with an estimated 42.5 million people infected. Each year, nearly 13 million people in the United States get infected with HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Researchers estimate that up to 92 percent of all sexually active persons will contract the virus at some time in their life. However, since the HPV vaccine was released, the number of cases has dropped dramatically.
2. Not all strains of HPV cause cancer
HPV comes in over a hundred distinct strains. Some are "high-risk" cancer-causing strains, while others are "low-risk" ones that produce genital warts. Types 16 and 18, which together cause 70% of cervical cancer cases and pre-cancerous cervical lesions, are considered high-risk strains.
Many people have the notion that genital warts are a sign of malignancy. This isn't the case at all. The HPV strains that cause genital warts are "low risk" and haven't been linked to cancer. However, just because you have a genital wart doesn't mean you're "safe." Multiple HPV kinds can infect a person, and the presence of a wart should be taken as a symptom of probable exposure to high-risk strains.
3. Your body fights HPV the same way it fights any other virus
Because the human body is capable of fighting off the virus, many people who are infected with HPV never show symptoms or disease. However, in a small percentage of people, the virus can live for years in places like tonsil cells. In some circumstances, HPV can cause cancer to develop 10 to 15 years after the first infection.
4. Women should be screened for HPV on a regular basis
The Pap smear is the recommended HPV screening test for women because it detects HPV-related alterations in cervical cells that can lead to cervical cancer. Women between the ages of 21 and 29 get a Pap test every three years, while women between the ages of 30 and 65 have a Pap test plus HPV testing every five years.
Women who have had an abnormal Pap test or who have specific risk factors may need to undergo a cervical biopsy. For males who have penetrative anal intercourse, there is also an anal Pap test that looks for early indicators of anal cancer.
5. Smoking, a weakened immune system, and family history are risk factors for cervical cancer
The two-hit hypothesis is endorsed by the majority of cancer professionals. For HPV to cause cervical cancer, you must be exposed to a certain strain and then something else must occur. An impaired immune system, as well as smoking, are established risk factors.
Sexual activity at a young age can also increase the risk of HPV causing cervical cancer. In the transition zone of the cervix, teenagers lack the immune system and ability to fight off the virus. So, if you have a dangerous strain while you're young, you're more likely to acquire cervical cancer.
6. HPV may often be prevented
The good news is that HPV infections can be prevented with the HPV vaccination. The most recent form of Gardasil, which has been the sole HPV vaccination in use in the United States since 2017, protects patients against nine HPV strains that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts cases. The use of condoms can help reduce the chance of HPV infection.