HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). ). It is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. are more than 100 types of HPV. Most are harmless, but only about 30 types put you at risk for cancer. These types affect the genitals and you get them through sexual contact with an infected partner. They can be either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts.
You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected making it hard to know when you first became infected.
In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any problems. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. You physician can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types of HPV that can cause cancers. High-risk HPV types can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus in women.
There is no way to know which people who have HPV will develop cancer or other health problems. People with weak immune systems (including individuals with HIV/AIDS) may be less able to fight off HPV and more likely to develop health problems from it.
For women Pap Smear tests can detect changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. Both Pap and HPV tests are types of cervical cancer screening. Yearly pap smears are recommended for screening. New guidelines recommend that a DNA screen is performed in conjunction with a Pap smear.
Men and HPV
In men, it can lead to cancers of the anus and penis. Men who perform oral sex are also at risk as it can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer). Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV.
HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine protects against infection by certain strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
There are two approves vaccines for HPV. These are called HPV2 (Cervarix) and HPV4 (Gardasil)
Both vaccines protect against the two types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer. Other, less common types of HPV can still cause cervical cancer. HPV4 (Gardasil) also protects against two other types of HPV that cause most cases of genital warts in women and men.It is important to note that. These vaccines do not treat cervical cancer.
HPV4 (Gardasil) is approved for:
Females ages 9 to 26 to protect against cervical cancer and to prevent genital warts
Males ages 9 to 26 to prevent genital warts
HPV2 (Cervarix) is approved for:
Females age 10 to 26 to help protect against cervical cancer
Girls ages 11 and 12 should receive the HPV vaccine series:
The vaccine is given in three shots over a 6-month period. The second and third shots are given 2 and 6 months after the first shot.
One brand of vaccine can be substituted for another in the 3-dose series. The HPV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines.
Girls as young as age 9 can receive the vaccine if their doctor recommends it.
Girls and women ages 13 to 26:
Those who have not received the HPV vaccine in the past should get a series of three shots.
Those who have not completed the full vaccine series should catch up on missed shots.
Boys ages 11 to 12 should receive the HPV4 (Gardasil) vaccine series:
To reduce the chance of becoming infected with genital and anal warts. The vaccine also reduces the risk of cancer of the penis and anus.
The vaccine is given in three shots over a 6-month period. The second and third shots are given 2 and 6 months after the first shot.
Boys as young as age 9 can receive the vaccine if their doctor recommends it.
Boys and men ages 13 to 21:
Those who have not received the vaccine in the past should get a series of three shots.
Those who have not completed the full vaccine series should catch up on missed shots.
Test Options
HPV Screen: Identification of the HPV group and quantification of the viral load
Learn more about HPV
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/ucm118530.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hpv.html
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/default.htm
