Learn all You Need to know About HPV Infection

What is Human Papilloma Virus Infection

Human papilloma Virus infection is a sexually transmitted infection. Most of the infected people do not exhibit any symptoms, but they can infect others. Almost all sexually active men and women at some point gets infected with HPV.

What is Human Papilloma Virus Infection

What is Human Papilloma Virus Infection

What causes HPV infection

It is caused by Human Papillomavirus. Human papilloma virus are the group of virus that affects the skin and the mucous membrane that lines our body.

What causes HPV infection

What causes HPV infection

HPV are of about 40 types. In most of the cases of HPV infection, it goes away on its own without causing any serious health problems, but if it does not go away it may cause genital warts and cancer.

HPV spreads by skin to skin contact or from mother to the baby during pregnancy, labor or nursing.

What are the Symptoms of HPV infection

Symptoms of HPV may even develop years after you had sex with an infected person. The infection may result in genital warts and cancer. The sign and symptoms of both are discussed below.

1.Genital warts

They may be small or big, flat or raised or cauliflower shaped. In the genital areas, warts are in the form of a bump or group bumps. Genital warts can be very uncomfortable and may cause emotional stress, however, they are not life- threatening.

Genital warts

Genital warts

2.Cancer

HPV may cause cervical cancers, Oropharyngeal cancer. Cancer of anus and penis. A person may develop cancer years after being infected by HPV.

Can HPV Infection Treated

HPV infection has no treatment, but health problems like warts, cervical pre-cancer and other cancers can be treated if diagnosed early. If untreated at right time warts increases in both size and number. If cancer develops it may lead to death.

Can HPV infection treated

Can HPV infection treated

HPV and its health related problems can be avoided by proper vaccination. It is better to get vaccinated before becoming sexually active and exposed to HPV. HPV vaccination is recommended for teenagers 11 to 12 years old. Women who are sexually active may also be vaccinated, but they are less benefited as they may have already been exposed to HPV infection. These vaccines are not recommended for pregnant women

3 reasons to Vaccinate against HPV

1. 3 HPV vaccines target HPV types that commonly cause cervical cancer and some other cancer, such as oropharyngeal cancer and cancer of the anus. 2 of these vaccines protect against HPV types that cause genital warts.

2. Research shows that once vaccinated individual is protected from infections for long. Also, there is no evidence of protection getting weaken over time.

3. All three vaccines are safe and have been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Side effects reported for these vaccines were mild, including pain where the shot was given, fever, dizziness, and nausea

HPV vaccines do not prevent all cases of cervical cancers but prevents the cases that may be caused by HPV. Prevention is always better so do get your HPV shots if you are sexually active.

Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta
Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta:  Professionally a homeopathic doctor and a dietician Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta is passionate about writing health and parenting blogs. She believes in holistic approach towards health and well being.