Human Papilloma Virus

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

This week we will discuss about Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). HPV is a different virus than  HIV and HSV (herpes). There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. But there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening.

Symptoms

In most cases, your body's immune system defeats an HPV infection before it creates warts. When warts do appear, they vary in appearance depending on which kind of HPV is involved:

Genital warts. These appear as flat lesions, small cauliflower-like bumps or tiny stemlike protrusions. In women, genital warts appear mostly on the vulva but can also occur near the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina.

In men, genital warts appear on the penis and scrotum or around the anus. Genital warts rarely cause discomfort or pain, though they may itch or feel tender.

Common warts. Rough, raised bumps most commonly found on the hands, fingers, and elbows.

Plantar warts . Described as hard, grainy growths on the feet; they most commonly appear on the heels or balls of the feet.

Flat warts. Generally affect children, adolescents, and young adults; they appear as flat-topped, slightly raised lesions that are darker than normal skin color and are most commonly found on the face, neck, or areas that have been scratched.

Risk factors

Some factors increase the risk of contracting the HPV virus :

• Having a higher number of intimate partners
• Having sex with someone who has had several intimate partners
• Having a weakened immune system, for example, due to HIV or after having an organ transplant
• Having areas of damaged skin.
• Having personal contact with warts or surfaces where HPV exposure has occurred

Treatment

Many people have HPV (human papillomavirus), and the infection often clears up on its own, without treatment. And it often doesn’t make people sick. There is currently no treatment for HPV.

In most cases the immune system clears HPV from the body naturally over time and has no long-lasting effects.

Most people with HPV have no symptoms and will never know they have it. For women, having regular Cervical Screening Tests once they become sexually active is the only way to detect HPV.

Genital warts can be treated ­by doctors or at sexual health clinics.

Prevention

• Having the HPV vaccine
• Practicing safe sex
• Practicing abstinence or being in a monogamous sexual relationship
• Not having sex while there are visible genital warts

It is hard to prevent common warts. If a wart is present, people should avoid picking it or biting finger nails. For plantar warts, it is recommended that shoes or sandals be worn in public areas such as pools and locker rooms.

Vaccination

• All children aged 11 or 12 years should get two HPV vaccine shots 6 to 12 months apart. If the two shots are given less than 5 months apart, a third shot will be needed. There could be future changes in recommendations on dosing.
• HPV vaccine is recommended for young women through age 26, and young men through age 21.
• Adolescents who get their first dose at age 15 or older need three doses of vaccine given over 6 months.
• Persons who have completed a valid series with any HPV vaccine do not need any additional doses.

The HPV vaccine helps protect you against certain types of HPV that can lead to cancer or genital warts. Also known by the brand name Gardasil 9, the HPV vaccine protects against:

• HPV types 16 and 18 — the 2 types that cause 80% of cervical cancer cases.

• HPV types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts cases.

• Another 5 types of HPV (types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) that can lead to cancer of the cervix, anus, vulva/vagina, penis, or throat.

The HPV vaccine is given in a series of shots. For people ages 15-45, the HPV vaccine is 3 separate shots. The second shot is given 2 months after the first, and the third shot is given 4 months after the second shot. So, in all, it takes about 6 months to get all 3 shots.

For people ages 9-14, you only need to get 2 shots. The second shot is given 6 months after the first shot.

Source :

1. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/in-depth
3. https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/hpv-vaccine