The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Experts say that HPV can be transmitted by having oral, anal, or vaginal sex with an individual who has the virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an STI most found in the US. While it can also spread through close skin-to-skin touching during sex, CDC says that if an individual is sexually active, even if he or she had sex with only one person could get HPV. The individual might develop symptoms years after having contracted the infection.
What is Human Papillomavirus?
HPV is a group of viruses that infects human skin and mucous membranes. “There are around 200 types of HPV, and they are categorised as high risk and low risk based on the disease potential,” says Dr Divya Kumaraswamy, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru.
Pointing out at the ill-effects of high-risk HPV, Kumaraswamy said “They have strong association with development of certain cancers, especially cervical cancer. They also cause other cancers like vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, oral and throat cancers.”
How is HPV infected?
When the virus encounters skin or mucous membrane, it can enter the body through small abrasions on the skin surface. Explaining the science of how virus goes inside the body, Kumaraswamy said, “Once inside the body HPV infects basal cells of epithelium (located in the lower part of the epithelium skin layer), which are actively multiplying, providing an ideal environment for the virus to establish infection.”
The virus then takes over host cells machinery and replicates genetic material leading to production of new viral particles.
“In most cases the immune system recognizes and clears infection within a year or two. However, in certain circumstances viruses may evade the immune system and establish persistent infection, especially high-risk types. Persistent infection with high-risk types may lead to the development of precancerous lesions and cancer over time,” she added.
How does HPV spread?
While experts say that HPV can also spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, Dr Shafalika SB, consultant-minimally invasive gynaecology, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru added, “This virus mainly spreads through sexual contact and sometimes via saliva contact. Rarely HPV can spread through a non-sexual route in fomite form.
This is an asymptomatic condition where it can be detected only through testing.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
HPV does not cause any noticeable symptoms. Those infected with HPV may not know that they have it as viruses remain in dormant stage for a long period.
Does this virus lead to health complications?
Dr Divya Kumaraswamy highlights that the infection can present itself in the form of:
- Common presentations of HPV infection are warts which are small flesh coloured growth in skin and mucous membranes, precancerous and cancers which present as abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge.
- Rare presentations of HPV include respiratory papillomatosis, where warts develop in respiratory tract causing breathing difficulty.
How can someone test for this virus?
“In women Human Papillomavirus can be tested with a smear test called the Pap Smear Test. The test involves collection of cells from the cervix and testing the smears for the human papillomavirus DNA,” says Dr Shafalika SB.
However, there are no specific tests for men. Some blood tests may be performed to detect HPV, but these tests are not specific and definitive.
How to protect from this virus?
Dr Shafalika SB suggests the following ways to protect yourself from the infection:
- Avoiding contact (skin-to-skin or sexual) with the infected person,
- Since it is not always easy to know whether the person is infected or not, it is best to practice safe sex and use protection (condoms) while indulging in sexual intercourse.
- Getting vaccinated against HPV is also yet another way to prevent getting infected.
Who should get the HPV vaccine?
Experts opine that it is important to get vaccinated against HPV before getting sexually active, ideally before the first intercourse.
“As per Indian guidelines for Human Papillomavirus vaccine, individuals between nine and 45 years are eligible for getting the vaccine. Two doses of HPV vaccine are advised to get a lifelong immunity against HPV,” added Dr Shafalika.
These two doses, experts say, should be taken in the interval of six months.
Happiest Health in an article on why girls between the ages of nine and 12 should take HPV vaccine highlights that it can prevent cervical cancer. Boys should be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus to protect them from various forms of cancer and prevent the spread of infection.
Additional facts about Human Papillomavirus:
- A study which went on to find a link between bladder cancer and HPV concluded that this virus may play a role in bladder cancer and lead to worse prognosis for individuals with Bladder cancer. The researchers concluded that men should get vaccinated for HPV vaccination to prevent bladder cancer.
- In another study it lists down the 12 high-risk types of HPV which are carcinogens (cancer causing viruses): HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59.
- HPV16 and 18 jointly cause cervical cancer. Vaccination against these two may prevent infection by 90 percent.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends HPV testing every five years.
Takeaways
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- It is spread through sexual and skin-to-skin ways among individuals.
- The individuals infected with HPV do not develop symptoms immediately and may show up in later years.
- The HPV virus could lead to warts, cancers like cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, oral, and throat cancers.
- The best way to prevent infection is to vaccinate against HPV and practice safe sex.
