The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that causes warts (Skin or mucous membrane growth) with over 100 variations, most cause warts and are easily treatable; however, there are forms of HPV that can cause cervical, anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and throat cancers, depending on where the infection is occurring. HPV can be transmitted sexually or through the infection to enter by skin-to-skin contact, or a cut/abrasion on the skin. It is also possible to pass HPV from mother to child during childbirth.
Common risk factors:
higher number of sexual partners: its more likely to encounter HPV the more sexual encounters one has.
age: children are more commonly going to see common warts and young adults/teens will develop genital warts.
weakened immune system: your body is not able to fight virus in a weakened state.
Damaged skin: one of the main forms of spreading HPV and other infections if not cleaned
personal contact: a common way to transmit HPV through skin-to-skin contact.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of HPV may include warts, if your immune system is not able to battle the virus in time. Which wart appears is an indicator of what type of HPV you have encountered.
Genital Warts: Small ‘cauliflower-like’ bumps. These warts can appear on the shaft of the penis, Scutum, vulva, cervix, in the vagina, or around the anus. These will not be painful but may cause some discomfort.
Common warts: Rough, raised bumps that appear on the hands or fingers. Common warts are not usually painful but can be susceptible to injury or bleeding.
Plantar warts: hard, grainy growths near the heels or balls of your feet. These warts are prone to causing discomfort and possibly some pain.
Flat warts: Flat topped, slightly raised lesions, they can appear anywhere but are most common on the face in children, where the beard may grow in men, and on the legs of women. These arts are usually not painful.
HPV causes nearly all cervical cancers seen each year. However, cancer may take twenty years or longer to develop, well after the HPV infection has vanished. HPV infection and early cervical cancer are typically unnoticeable and getting vaccinated is the best option in reducing the risk. If there are any new warts or if warts have become painful please seek medical assistance.
HPV can cause thought cancer and lung abrasions if contracted through oral sex. proper protection should always be worn.
Vaccines:
Three HPV vaccines have been approved by the food and drug administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the first HPV vaccine be administered between 9-12 years of age and a second dose six months after the first. This two-dose schedule is most effective in children under the age of 12. The third vaccine is recommended for those 15 through 26 and any adult not properly vaccinated.
Sources
MFMER. (2019, August 30). Hpv infection. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596
CDC. (2020, October 29). When to get hpv vaccine. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine.html
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