Doc Fio

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. Most sexually active women and men will be infected at some point in their lives and some may be repeatedly infected. 

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses that are extremely common worldwide.

• There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which at least 13 are cancer-causing (also known as high risk type).

• Two HPV types (16 and 18) cause 70% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions.

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The peak time for acquiring infection for both women and men is shortly after becoming sexually active. HPV is sexually transmitted, but penetrative sex is not required for transmission. Skin-to-skin genital contact is a well-recognized mode of transmission. There haven’t been any documented cases of people getting HPV from surfaces in the environment, such as toilet seats. However, someone could be exposed to HPV from objects (toys) shared during sexual activity if the object has been used by an infected person.

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There are many types of HPV, and many do not cause problems. HPV infections usually clear up without any intervention within a few months after acquisition, and about 90% clear within 2 years. A small. Although most HPV infections clear up on their own and most pre-cancerous lesions resolve spontaneously, there is a risk for all women that HPV infection may become chronic and pre-cancerous lesions progress to invasive cervical cancer.

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Cervical cancer is by far the most common HPV-related disease. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer can be attributable to HPV infection. 

Though data on anogenital cancers other than cancer of the cervix are limited, there is an increasing body of evidence linking HPV with cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, and penis. Although these cancers are less frequent than cancer of the cervix, their association with HPV make them potentially preventable using similar primary prevention strategies as those for cervical cancer.

Non-cancer causing types of HPV (especially types 6 and 11) can cause genital warts and respiratory papillomatosis (a disease in which tumours grow in the air passages leading from the nose and mouth into the lungs). Although these conditions very rarely result in death, they may cause significant occurrence of disease. Genital warts are very common and highly infectious. 

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Risk factors for HPV persistence and development of cervical cancer

• Early first sexual intercourse

• Multiple sexual partners

• Tobacco use

• Immune suppression (for example, HIV-infected individuals are at higher risk of HPV infection and are infected by a broader range of HPV types)

• Sexual transmitted disease

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HPV vaccination is available and remarkably effective to decrease cervical cancer incident worldwide. The vaccine produces protection or antibody againsts particular HPV types. There are currently 2 vaccines which protect against both HPV 16 and 18, which are known to cause at least 70% of cervical cancers. The vaccines may also have some cross-protection against other less common HPV types which cause cervical cancer. One of the vaccines also protects against HPV types 6 and 11 which cause anogenital warts.

Clinical trial results show that both vaccines are safe and very effective in preventing infection with HPV 16 and 18.

Both vaccines work best if administered prior to exposure to HPV. Therefore, it is preferable to administer them before first sexual activity.

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The vaccines cannot treat HPV infection or HPV-associated disease such as cancer.

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