International HPV Awareness Day is a global initiative held every year on March 4th to raise awareness about human papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated health risks, including a variety of types of cancer, such as cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, and throat cancer.
Supported by various health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), International HPV Awareness Day aims at educating people about the importance of HPV vaccination, early detection, and prevention as a global initiative.
With this special day gone, people are increasingly paying attention to HPV. So here, we have concluded the 10 most questioned facts regarding HPV and, hopefully, allow you to better understand, prevent, and treat HPV-related diseases.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Facts to Know About on International HPV Awareness Day
1. What is HPV
HPV stands for human papillomavirus, a group of over 200 related viruses that can infect both men and women. HPV infections are prevalent, and most people infected with HPV do not develop any symptoms or health problems.
HPV vaccines are available to prevent the most common types of HPV that cause cancer and other diseases.
2. How is HPV spread?
HPV is primarily spread through sexual contacts, such as vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex, as well as skin-to-skin contact, even when an infected person shows no visible symptoms or signs of infection yet. In some cases, sharing sex toys that have not been adequately cleaned or disinfected can also cause HPV transmission and, as rare as it could be, mother-to-child transmission of HPV can occur during childbirth.
Worse is, HPV transmission occurs even when condoms or other barrier methods are used, if they do not cover all genital and anal skin that can be infected with HPV, despite the fact that condoms do reduce the risk of HPV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Sexually active people, especially those with multiple sexual partners, are at higher risk of contracting HPV.
3. What are the symptoms of HPV?
Most HPV infections clear up within 1-2 years without causing health problems [1]. Even the patients with HPV do not know they are infected and carry HPV for years without knowing it.
However, some HPV infections can cause visible symptoms and lead to the development a set of diseases in both men and women, including genital warts, even cancer. The most common cancers caused by HPV include cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, vaginal cancer, and throat cancer.
4. How can HPV be prevented?
HPV infection can be prevented through a combination of measures, including:
- Vaccination: HPV vaccines are available for both males and females, and they are highly effective at preventing the most common types of HPV.
- Safe sex practices: Using condoms or other barrier methods during sexual activity can reduce the risk of HPV transmission. Reducing the number of sexual partners and avoiding sexual contact with partners with symptoms of HPV mentioned above is another way to reduce the risk of infection.
- Regular screening: Women should undergo routine cervical cancer screening, such as a Pap test or HPV test, to detect abnormal cells on the cervix early, before they progress to cancer. Men who have sex with men may also benefit from regular anal cancer screening.
- Education: You can’t fight an enemy you know little about. Educating yourself and others about HPV (including its transmission, the importance of vaccination, safe sex practices, and regular screening) lowers the chance of infection.
5. What are the different types of HPV?
HPV types can be categorized into low-risk and high-risk types based on their potential to cause health problems. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts and mild cell changes, while high-risk types of HPV can lead to cancerous cell changes. HPV-16 and HPV-18 are two of the high-risk HPV responsible for most cervical cancer.
6. Can HPV be treated?
There is no specific treatment for the HPV virus itself, and the treatments for the symptoms of HPV infection vary. For example, genital warts caused by low-risk HPV types can be treated with topical medications or removed through cryotherapy, electrocautery or surgical excision. Treatment for cancer caused by HPV can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches.
Remember! The best way to manage HPV-related health problems is always to vaccinate yourself and your loved ones, and go through regular screening and testing to detect any abnormalities early before they develop into more severe health problems.
7. Can HPV cause cancer?
HPV is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer and is also associated with several other types of cancer. But don’t panic, among 200 of known HPV types, only certain high-risk types (such as the notorious HPV types 16 and 18) are associated with an increased risk of cancer.
However, if an HPV infection persists and causes abnormal cell changes, these changes can eventually become cancer if left untreated. That’s why regular screening matters to detect abnormal cells early before they develop into cancer.
8. How is HPV diagnosed?
Speaking of regular HPV screening and detection, there are several different methods, such as Pap test, HPV test, colposcopy test and physical exam. Which detection method to choose depends on different stage of disease development.
An HPV screening kit plays a critical role in running HPV tests. Represented by S3057E HPV 13+2 – Human Papillomavirus DNA Diagnostic Kit developed by Sansure Biotech, these highly sensitive and accurate HPV DNA test kits can do so much more than merely determining if the patient is actually infected, but also help doctors make differential diagnosis, accurately detect the pathogens that cause symptoms, and formulate treatment plans.
9. Is the HPV vaccine safe and effective?
Yes, the HPV vaccine is safe and effective at preventing HPV infection and related health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the HPV vaccine is recommended for all boys and girls starting at 11 or 12 [2]. The vaccine is given in two or three doses over six months, depending on the age of the person receiving the vaccine.
10. I’m pregnant, will having HPV affect my pregnancy?
Talk to your healthcare provider about how the infection may affect your pregnancy and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your baby is highly suggested. In most cases, having HPV does not cause any problems during pregnancy. However, in rare cases, HPV infection may increase certain pregnancy complications.
It’s important to remember that most pregnant women with HPV have healthy pregnancies and deliveries. By working closely with your healthcare provider and following their recommendations for monitoring and treatment, you can help ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your baby.
Empower Yourself with Knowledge, and Stay Strong
As various events and activities were organized worldwide to commemorate the day and increase public awareness of HPV and its impact on global health, we are again facing this serious yet necessary topic.
Despite HPV prevalence, many people are unaware of the risks associated with HPV or how to protect themselves from infection. HPV is not picky, it affects anyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. But there are still several steps you can take to protect yourself from HPV and related health problems, the first of which is to stay informed about HPV and its risks. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
As a renowned developer of a series of reagents and instruments, Sansure does not just possess top-of-the-line technologies, but is also fully prepared to join hands with you to guard the most valuable asset: your health.
Contact Sansure for more information at https://www.sansureglobal.com/ and get ready together!
Reference:
[1] Genital HPV Infection – Basic Fact Sheet. Available at:https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
[2] HPV Vaccine. Available at:https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine-for-hpv.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fhpv%2Fparents%2Fvaccine.html
