About Human Papilloma Virus |
1. What is Human PapillomaVirus?
There are more than 200 different Human PapillomaViruses (HPV) but only some of them can affect the genital areas. HPV can affect uterine cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, anal canal and throat.
There are two categories of HPV types:
The cancer most frequently caused by HPV is the cancer of the uterine cervix. It is the second most common cancer in women, worldwide and in Thailand.
There are more than 200 different Human PapillomaViruses (HPV) but only some of them can affect the genital areas. HPV can affect uterine cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, anal canal and throat.
There are two categories of HPV types:
- Low risk HPV: they can cause skin and genital warts and similar lesions in the mouth but are rarely associated with cancers.
- High risk HPV: they can cause similar lesions but can evolve into cancers (uterine cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, throat, tongue and tonsils). To date, 13 high risk HPV have been identified, in particular two (HPV-16 and HPV-18) which are responsible for most of these cancers.
The cancer most frequently caused by HPV is the cancer of the uterine cervix. It is the second most common cancer in women, worldwide and in Thailand.
2. How can we get infected?
Most people get infected with HPV at the beginning of their sexual activity with the first intimate contacts.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Most people get infected with HPV at the beginning of their sexual activity with the first intimate contacts.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
3. Symptoms and health consequences
When people get infected with HPV, they generally have no symptoms. Therefore, men and women can transmit the virus without knowing.
Most people eliminate the virus by themselves after a few years. However, in a few cases, the virus remains in the body and can cause some lesions which can develop into cancers.
When people get infected with HPV, they generally have no symptoms. Therefore, men and women can transmit the virus without knowing.
Most people eliminate the virus by themselves after a few years. However, in a few cases, the virus remains in the body and can cause some lesions which can develop into cancers.
4. Prevention
HPV infections can be prevented through:
Cervical cancers can be prevented through:
HPV infections can be prevented through:
- HPV immunization, which protects from some HPV types, those most often associated with cancers. It should be provided before the beginning of sexual life (between 11 to 14 years old)
- The condom, essential prevention mean for all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is of limited efficacy because skin and saliva are also contaminants.
Cervical cancers can be prevented through:
- A simple and widely available exam, the Pap Smear that can detect early cervical lesions, before they become cancerous. This test is recommended for all women between 25 and 65 years.
5. Treatment
No treatment is needed for HPV infection if there are no lesions.
Cervical lesions caused by HPV can be treated through several methods such as laser, cryotherapy, and surgery.
Anogenital lesions may be treated locally using immunomodulatory ointment or laser, cryotherapy or electrosurgery, depending on their extent. Local or general anesthesia may be necessary depending on the number of lesions and their location (e.g. cervical or anal canal).
No treatment is needed for HPV infection if there are no lesions.
Cervical lesions caused by HPV can be treated through several methods such as laser, cryotherapy, and surgery.
Anogenital lesions may be treated locally using immunomodulatory ointment or laser, cryotherapy or electrosurgery, depending on their extent. Local or general anesthesia may be necessary depending on the number of lesions and their location (e.g. cervical or anal canal).
