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What is human papillomavirus infection?
Skin-to-skin contact is how the viral illness known as the human papillomavirus (HPV) is spread from one person to another. There are more than 100 different types of human papillomavirus, more than 40 of which are transmitted through sexual contact and can harm your mouth, throat, and genitalia.
The most prevalent sexually transmitted illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, is human papillomavirus (STI).
Even if they have few sexual partners, it will happen to the majority of sexually active persons at some point since it is so prevalent.
There may be instances of genital human papillomavirus infection that have no negative health effects. However, some kinds of HPV can result in the growth of genital warts as well as throat, cervix, and anus malignancies.
HPV causes
Skin-to-skin contact is the main method of transmission for the virus that causes human papillomavirus infection. Most genital HPV infections are acquired through intimate contact, such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Since HPV is a skin-to-skin virus, sexual activity is not necessary for transmission to take place.
Even if your partner shows no symptoms, you might still catch human papillomavirus because many individuals carry the disease without even being aware of it. Additional HPV subtypes are also conceivable.
Rarely, a human papillomavirus-positive woman may pass the virus to her unborn child during giving birth. When this occurs, the kid may experience recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a disease in which warts associated with human papillomavirus appear in the throat or airways.
Symptoms
In many cases, human papillomavirus infection doesn’t result in any obvious signs or health issues.
According to the CDC, 90% of human papillomavirus infections from Trusted Sources (9 out of 10) resolve on their own in less than two years. However, because the virus is still present in a person’s body at this time, they might unintentionally spread HPV.
When a virus persists, it may have detrimental effects on one’s health. These include throat warts and genital warts (known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis).
Additionally, HPV can lead to genital, head, neck, and throat cancers as well as cervical cancer. The HPV strains that result in warts are distinct from those that result in cancer. Therefore, having genital warts brought on by HPV does not automatically predispose you to cancer.
Symptoms of HPV-related cancers frequently don’t appear until the disease has advanced to a more advanced stage. Regular exams can aid in detecting human papillomavirus-related health issues early. This can enhance perspective and raise survival chances.
Human papillomavirus treatments
There is no cure for human papillomavirus because the majority of cases go away on their own. Instead, your physician will probably request that you undergo more testing in a year to see whether the HPV infection has persisted and whether any cell alterations have arisen that require further investigation.
It is possible to cure genital warts using prescription drugs, electrical current burning, or liquid nitrogen freezing. However, eliminating physical warts does not treat the virus, and warts may come back.
A quick treatment that is done in your doctor’s office can eliminate malignant cells. Treatment options for cancers caused by human papillomavirus include surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy. Multiple techniques may occasionally be employed.
There are no natural remedies for human papillomavirus infection that are currently approved by medicine. For the purpose of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating health issues that may arise from HPV infection, routine screening for human papillomavirus and cervical cancer is crucial. Examine the human papillomavirus treatment alternatives.
How can you get HPV?
Those who have engaged in sexual skin-to-skin contact are susceptible to human papillomavirus infection. Other elements that might enhance a person’s chance of contracting HPV include:
more people engaging in sexual activity
An immune system that is compromised engaging in unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse with a partner who is HPV positive
The following things can increase the likelihood that an infection with a high-risk human papillomavirus type will persist and possibly lead to cancer:
a lowered immunological response
possessing additional STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes simplex
persistent inflammation
having a large family (cervical cancer)
taking oral contraceptives continuously for a long time (cervical cancer)
having a cigarette (mouth or throat cancer)
engaging in anal sex (anal cancer)
HPV prevention
Use of condoms and safe sex practices are the most straightforward strategies to avoid HPV.
Additionally, HPV-related genital warts and malignancies can be avoided with the Gardasil 9 vaccination. Nine varieties of human papillomavirus that are connected to genital warts or cancer can be prevented by vaccination.
Boys and girls should get the human papillomavirus vaccine by age 11 or 12, according to the CDC. The vaccination is administered in two doses at least six months apart. Ages 15 to 26 for both women and men can also receive the vaccine in three doses.
Get frequent health tests, Pap smears, and checkups to avoid HPV-related health issues. Continue reading to discover more benefits and drawbacks of the HPV vaccine.
Conclusion
The malignancies of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus can all be brought on by HPV in addition to cervical cancer. In addition, it may result in throat cancer (called oropharyngeal cancer). The tonsils and base of the tongue may be examples of this. After a person contracts HPV, cancer frequently takes years or even decades to develop.