Human papillomavirus (HPV) usually is transmitted from one person to another during direct skin to skin contact. HPV is the most common sexual disease transmission in the United States. There are over 150 different types of HPV. Most men and women do not know they have it because they have no symptoms or health problems. Sometimes, certain types of HPV can cause warts on different parts of the body. Other types of HPV can cause precancerous lesions or cancer.
The types of HPV and how it spreads HPV
Most types of HPV can cause "common" warts. These warts grow in places like the hands and feet. However, more than 40 of the virus are called genital human papillomavirus "type" virus. These viruses are spread from person to person when their genital contact. This commonly occurs during vaginal, anal and oral sex.
genital HPV types can infect the genital area of a woman, including inside and outside the vagina. It can also affect the genital area of men, including the penis. In both men and women, genital HPV can infect the anus and some areas of the head and neck. Sometimes the types of "low risk" genital HPV can cause genital warts or lesions that form in or around these places. These are most commonly HPV-6 or HPV-11. Growths vary in size, shape and number, but rarely lead to cancer.
HPV-related cancers
HPV "high-risk" types of genital HPV are most likely to cause cancer. a person's immune system is usually able to get rid of this type of infection. However, some people develop a lasting infection. Gradually, often for many years, it changes normal cells to create precancerous lesions or cancer. The following types of cancer are associated with HPV:
Cervical cancer. HPV infection causes nearly all cervical cancers. Of cervical HPV-related cancers, about 70% are caused by two strains: HPV-16 or HPV-18. In addition, smoking can increase the risk of cervical cancer in women who have HPV. Although HPV causes almost all cervical cancers, it is important to remember that most genital HPV infections do not cause cancer.
Oral cancer. HPV can cause cancer of the mouth and tongue. It can also cause cancer of the oropharynx, which is the middle part of the throat, tonsils to the tip of the voice box. These HPV-related cancers are increasing in both men and women. Changes in sexual behavior, including an increase in oral sex, may be one reason for the increase.
Other cancers. HPV is also associated with less common cancers, such as anal vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer in women and penile cancer in men
There is no cure for HPV. However, doctors can often treat health problems caused by the infection. Warts and precancerous lesions can be removed in the following ways:
A procedure LEEP, which uses electrical current to remove abnormal tissue
medicated creams applied directly to the skin for genital warts
However, removal of genital warts does not mean that a person no longer has HPV. Warts can come back later because the virus can remain in the cells. A person with HPV who have no visible warts can still infect a sex partner with the virus. In addition, an inactive infection can be activated when the immune system of a person is weakened due to illness or other reasons.
Receive an HPV vaccine reduces the risk of infection. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two vaccines that help prevent HPV infection: Gardasil and Cervarix. It is important to note that vaccines can not cure an existing HPV infection.
