Human PAPILLOMA Virus
What is genital HPV infection?
Who is at risk for HPV?
How do you contract HPV?
Health problems associated with HPV?
Signs and Symptoms of HPV?
Can a person be tested for HPV?
- Human Papilloma Virus also called HPV is now recognized as the most common Sexually Transmitted Disease.
- There is excess of 40 or more strands of HPV; strand 16 being the most common. HVP-
- 16 is the type most strongly linked with cervical cancer.
- HPV can cause problems with men and women in their genital area, mouth, and throat
- Most serious problems caused from HPV are cervical cancer and genital warts. In many cases people will never know they have it and will clear up on its own within two years
Who is at risk for HPV?
- Anyone who is sexually active can contract HPV. Among sexually active males and females HPV is the most highly prevalent Sexually Transmitted Disease.
How do you contract HPV?
- HPV is transmitted through genital contact; mostly during sexual intercourse. HPV can also be transmitted through oral sex or genital-to genital contact.
Health problems associated with HPV?
- 90% of HPV symptoms disappear within two years of contracting it.
- Sometimes, though HPV does not go away on its own and causes serious health problems such as the following:
- Warts in the genital area
- In rare condition called recurrent respiratory papillomavirus; which is warts growing on the throat
- Cervical Cancer
Signs and Symptoms of HPV?
- Genital warts (can develop within months of transmission)
- Cervical cancer (cancer usually takes years to develop if caused from HPV)
- Cancer in the men and women’s genital
- Warts growing in the throat (RRP)- sound hoarse and trouble breathing
- People with weak immune systems usually never get rid of HPV
Can a person be tested for HPV?
- There are HPV test available usually for women over the age of 30 for detection of cervical cancer
- Test is not recommended for: men, teenagers, and women younger than 30