HPV (human papillomavirus) is a contagious viral infection that can cause warts and cancer, usually on the skin and in the mucous membranes of the female genital organs. It is the most common known cause of cervical cancer. More than 200 types of HPV have been identified, and there are approximately 40 types of HPV that cause infection in the anal and genital areas. These are evaluated in 3 groups: low-risk group, medium-risk group and high-risk group. While HPV types 6 and 11 in the low-risk group cause genital warts (condyloma), high-risk types, especially HPV types 16 and 18, are associated with cervical cancer.
How is HPV Virus? How is it transmitted?
The most common way of transmission of genital HPV is through sexual contact. The virus is transmitted to the other party after sexual intercourse with a woman or man who is an HPV carrier. The HPV virus can remain in the external environment for a certain period of time. Therefore, although rare, it can also be transmitted through shared areas such as saunas, Turkish baths, and public toilets, apart from sexual contact.
Another way of transmission is the virus being transmitted from an HPV positive mother to the baby during normal delivery, and this transmission can cause warts to form on the baby’s larynx and vocal cords. For this reason, cesarean section is preferred for pregnant women with active genital HPV infection. Genital warts occur between 3 weeks and 8 months after exposure to HPV. However, in some people, the HPV virus can remain silent for years without causing warts or cervical disease. For this reason, it may not be possible to know when or from whom the disease was transmitted.
HPV Which One Is It More Dangerous In Business?
HPV infection is most common between the ages of 20 and 29. However, most infections seen at an early age are cleared from the body within two years. Persistent HPV infections or HPV infections seen after the age of 35 are more risky for cervical cancer.
With HPV What Are Associated Cancers?
Some cervical cancer is associated with HPV infection. The most common types are HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. More than ninety percent of HPV infections pass within two years.
Factors such as smoking, having multiple partners, and impaired immunity increase the risk of cervical cancer by increasing HPV infection and persistence. Other cancers associated with HPV are anal cancers, vaginal cancer, external genitalia cancer, mouth lip and tongue base cancer, head and neck cancers, and penile cancers in men.
How is HPV Virus? How is it diagnosed?
HPV test is a part of cervical cancer screening test and in our country, HPV-DNA test is also performed together with pap smear test in cervical cancer screening for women over 30 years of age. A sample is taken from the cervix with a special stick for HPV test. There is no blood test for HPV diagnosis. Screening is performed every 5 years for all women between the ages of 30-65. In case of any abnormality in any of the tests taken, the gynecologist presents the patient with a follow-up and treatment plan.
How is HPV Infection? How is it treated?
After contact with the HPV virus, this virus is often eliminated from the body by the immune system. However, in the case of genital warts, chemical cauterization or electrocauterization methods or locally applied drugs are used. In the presence of high-risk viruses, the cervix is examined in more detail by colposcopy and the degree of the lesion in the cervix is determined by biopsy. Depending on the severity of the lesion, the area of the cervix affected by the virus is removed by LEEP or cold conization.
How to Treat HPV Virus Is it protected?
The first precaution that can be taken to protect against HPV in men and women is monogamy. Using a condom during sexual intercourse reduces the risk of transmission. Apart from this, HPV vaccination before sexual intercourse is the most effective method of protection against the virus. The most suitable age range for vaccination is between 9-12 years of age; HPV vaccination in people who have previously been infected with HPV increases immunity and facilitates the elimination of the virus from the body. There is no specific age limit for vaccination after the age of 9-12.
Currently, there is Gardasil 9 in our country, which is effective against 9 types of HPV virus (types 6,11,16,18,31,33,45,52,58). HPV vaccine is in the national vaccination program in many countries and is applied to girls and boys before they start sexual activity. Since it is not in the national vaccination program in our country yet, it is given for a fee. It is applied in 2 doses for those under the age of 15 and 3 doses for those over the age of 15.
A Should HPV-DNA and Pap-Smear Screenings Continue After Vaccination?
HPV-DNA and pap smear tests performed for cervical cancer screening should continue after vaccination. Because infection may develop after exposure to rare HPV types after vaccination. Therefore, HPV screening tests should be performed regularly after vaccination.
It is important to keep the immune system strong to facilitate the excretion of the HPV virus. The substances that strengthen the immune system the most are vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as Omega 3, selenium and probiotics. In addition to these, there are various supplements that contain many substances that strengthen the immune system. However, these should be used under the supervision of a doctor. Your doctor will give you the most accurate information about which vitamin is better and will be better for your immune system.
