HPV

HPV: Human papillomavirus

What is HPV?

HPV infection is caused by human papillomavirus and is a common infection that affects millions of people around the world every year. The infection is usually passed from person to person through skin-to-skin contact. There are about 100 or more types of this virus, and about 40 of them are known to be sexually transmitted.

How does one get HPV?

HPV (human papillomavirus) is said to be the most common sexually transmitted infection or disease, and many sexually active individuals are exposed to the virus at some point in their lives.

HPV infection

There is significant fear and stigma associated with the development of HPV infection. The main reason for this is that most people believe that HPV infection leads to cancer. However, there is more to this that we need to understand.

In some people, warts develop due to human papillomavirus infection, but in others it can cause cancer. However, this does not mean that all HPV infections lead to cancer.

Human papillomavirus infection causes cervical, vaginal, penile, vulva, vulva and even oropharyngeal cancers. Although there is no cure for this viral infection, it can now be prevented with the HPV vaccine.

Signs and symptoms of HPV (human papillomavirus):

Most people are usually asymptomatic when infected with the virus, and their bodies successfully fight off the infection for months to years. However, such individuals still harbor the virus and can eventually pass it on to other people.

Warts are usually the first signs of the disease as your body fights off HPV, and some commonly observed warts caused by the virus include:

Genital warts: In women, these warts appear on the vulva, near the anus, around the vagina or uterus. In men, these warts can appear on the penis, scrotum or anus.

Common skin warts: These skin warts can occur anywhere on the body. These include flat warts (common in children), and plantar warts on the heels and feet.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: HPV infection can also cause warts to form in your throat, causing a condition called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Prevention:

Preventatives of HPV

  • HPV is very easy to prevent. It’s as simple as wearing a condom during sex and practicing safe sex.
  • There is also an HPV vaccine that protects individuals from warts and cancers caused by the virus.
  • The Gardasil 9 vaccine is an HPV vaccine that is said to protect you against 9 types of warts and cancer-causing forms of HPV.
  • There are certain schedules for receiving this vaccine, and women of different ages are recommended to receive the HPV vaccine according to their age.
  • According to CDC recommendations, the HPV vaccine should be given to girls and boys at age 11 or 12. Two doses of the HPV vaccine are given at least six months apart.
  • Men and women ages 15 to 26 can also get the vaccine on a three-dose schedule.

Source: https://healthlibrary.askapollo.com/bengali/hpv-infection-signs-and-symptoms-causes-diagnosis/

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