Understanding Human Papillomavirus HPV: Symptoms, Spread, and Protection

Papillomavirus HPV is a large group of viruses that are commonly found in most people. Most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms and they usually clear up on their own within two years issues.

The papillomavirus comprises over 100 different types, which can affect various parts of the skin.

Papillomavirus Symptoms

In general, HPV might not manifest any signs in most individuals. However, certn types may cause pnless warts or growths on your genital area genital warts.

How Papillomavirus Spreads?

The transmission of many HPV types is easy and doesn't necessitate penetrative sex. It can spread through:

• Skin-to-skin contact with the genital area

• Sex in various forms, like vaginal, anal or oral sex

• Sharing of sex toys

HPV may remn asymptomatic, hence it's common to be unaware that you have it.

It is prevalent among many people; most will acquire at least one type throughout their lives.

Critical

You do not need to have sexual intercourse with numerous partners to contract HPV. You can get it even on your first encounter with sex.

HPV and Associated Conditions

For the majority, HPV does not cause any complications. However, certn types may result in:

• Genital warts

• Cervical cancer precursors or cell abnormalities that could potentially turn into cancer

The high-risk HPV types are known to be associated with cancers like cervical, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancers, as well as various head and neck cancers.

HPV infection might persist for years without causing any issues. People can harbor the virus even after being sexually active or having a new partner for many years.

Testing for Papillomavirus HPV

The testing involves taking a small sample of cells from your cervix during cervical screening, which is then tested for HPV.

Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64 with a cervix as part of its program to protect agnst cervical cancer.

Anal screening might be provided by some sexual health clinics for men at higher risk of anal cancer, especially those who engage in homosexual activities.

Learn more about cervical screening and how it helps prevent cervical cancer

How to Protect Yourself Agnst Papillomavirus HPV

While it is impossible to fully protect yourself agnst HPV, several precautions might be helpful:

• Using condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV transmission but they do not cover every part of your genital area.

• Vaccination agnst HPV protects agnst most cases of genital warts and cervical cancer along with other cancers caused by certn types. It does not shield agnst all HPV variants.

Discover more about the HPV vaccine and eligibility for receiving it

Treating Papillomavirus Infections

There is no cure for an HPV infection itself. Most infections usually resolve on their own within two years without causing any problems.

Should an HPV infection cause issues like genital warts or cervical cell abnormalities, appropriate treatments are avlable.

Last reviewed: May 27th, 2022

Next review due: May 27th, 2025
This article is reproduced from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/

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