What causes HPV? All about the Human Papillomavirus

Human Papillomavirus (HPV = Human Papilloma Virus) is the cause of warts (warts), including the genital ones and also HPV causes cancerous changes in the cervix. HPV is spread by direct contact.

So far, more than 100 types of HPV were identified.

HPV cannot be treated permanently. In most cases, warts disappear without treatment in about two years. However, treatment hastens the disappearance of warts. With or without treatment, HPV remains stuck in the body, so warts can reappear.

The virus that causes the infection is known scientifically as Human Papilloma Virus.

There are types of HPV that cause cancer. In these cases, the warts occur in other areas of the body such as hands or feet. But most people who contact this infection fail to eradicate it with drugs.

Warts are diagnosed simply by clinical examination. The only way to detect dysplasia is the Pap exam and biopsy (removal and examination of a portion of tissue). It is most commonly in the cervix, but can occur also in the vagina and vulva.

Screening for HPV infection is the Pap test. When it reveals characteristic changes of cervical cells, HPV testing is indicated. HPV test is to determine the DNA-HPV in a sample taken from the cervix (similar to the Pap test).

Until now, HPV test for men was not implemented.

To reduce the risk of HPV transmission the following are essential:

- Sex with a single person

- Make sure your partner does not have other sexual partners

- condoms provide protection against most STDs, but cannot ensure 100% protection against HPV because they do not fully prevent the genital and skin contact

- Avoid sex with partners who have genital warts

- Conducting regular Pap test in women and encourage wives or girlfriends in this respect

- HPV vaccination, recommended for women before the start of sexual life.

Most HPV infections resolve within three years.

Every million women infected with HPV strains that cause cancer, approximately 10% (100 000) develop abnormal and precancerous cells of the cervix known as cervical dysplasia.

The virus that causes HPV has the ability to multiply once it gets in the bogy cells. The patient may have some symptoms, but sometimes the infection goes undetected.

The most serious complication of this infection is that HPV causes cervical cancer.