Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD, according to CDC, affecting 79 million Americans, with an estimated 20 million people infected every year. Spread of HPV can be through skin-to-skin contact and can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. While it’s possible to have Human papillomavirus infection without any symptoms, some infected persons experience symptoms; that range from mild to severe. Those with no symptoms may never know they have HPV infection. While others may develop some or all of the following:
- Small blisters or sores on the genitals
- Discharge from the penis or the vagina
What is Human papillomavirus (HPV)?
- It is the most common STD.
- Age, many among people in their late teens and early 20s.
- There are many different types of Human papillomavirus. Some types can cause genital warts>
- Few types can cause cancers.
- There are vaccines that can infection.
- In about 90% of HPV cases, infection cures on its own within 2-3 years without causing any health problems.
- But if HPV does not go away, it can cause problems like genital warts and even cancer. HPV can cause cervical cancers, cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus.
Prevalence of Human papillomavirus
Many persons don’t care to check regularly even they are sexually active. They find out the infection accidentally during checkup for any other purpose Here a story of a lady, show how most of us discover the infection:
“I was in college, I was 20 and newly sexually active, when my gynecologist called to tell me my Pap smear was abnormal. I had “moderate to severe dysplasia,” she said, the medical term for abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. When I asked why, she said it was most likely caused by human papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV”.
POPSUGAR Fitness
The CDC notes that nearly every person who is sexually active will get HPV at some point in their lifetime. There’s now a vaccine that may help prevent the infection, even though many new cases occur yearly!
Prognosis of HPV infection?
- Most of Human papillomavirus cases resolve by its own
- But in not cured, It can cause genital warts or even cancer.
- It can cause cancers like cervical, cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus. Also, it may cause cancer in the throat.
- It takes many years, even decades, to develop into cancer after infection.
How do You know if have HPV?
- As mentioned before, most cases of Human papillomavirus don’t develop symptoms. So, they know accidentally, or when they get genital warts. Women may find out they are infected when they do Pap test with positive result.
- There is no test to find out whether you are infected.
- But There are HPV tests to screen for cervical cancer. These screening tests are used for women aged 30 years and older. They are not recommended to screen men, adolescents, or women under the age of 30 years.
What women have to do?
- Use condoms and get the Human papillomavirus vaccine if available.
- Any lady who is sexually active have to do the following: the single most important step is to get a routine Pap smear, at least every year. If you are diagnosed with HPV infection, then your doctor will monitor you for few years, usually the infection will resolve by its own. In not, simple operation, removal of the suspected cells, will cure it.
SUMMARY
According to the CDC, Human papillomavirus, which is a viral infection, is the most common infection that spreads by sex (STD-STI). There are over 100 varieties of HPV, that can cause genital warts, mouth, or throat infections. There is no available test to diagnose the infection. Vaccination and using condoms can help prevent infection.
If you suspect that you may have symptoms, Helalmedical can help, offering quick, private, and convenient testing options. You may contact us here: Facebook page.
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