What Is the Most Common STD 2020? HPV Infection

Sexual intercourse, whether vaginal, anal, or oral, with someone who has the virus can lead to HPV infection, although the virus is more likely to spread with penetrative sex. HPV can still spread even if the person harboring the virus has no signs or symptoms, and having only one sexual partner does not rule out the possibility of getting the virus.

Symptoms of HPV may even take years to develop after sex with an infected person, making it difficult to know the exact time the virus entered the body.

在大多数情况下,人乳头状瘤病毒显示self-remissionand does not cause health problems. However, when HPV persists, it can causegenital wartsand genital or oropharyngealcancer.

Genitalwartsusually appear as smallbumpsor groups of bumps in the genital area. Size may vary from small to large, be flat or raised, or have a cauliflower-like shape. While genitalwartsmay subside on their own, some cases may require medical treatment. They may reappear as warts again or ascancerlater in life.

HPV can causecervical canceras well ascancersof the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. The virus can also cause cancer of the oralcavityand back of the throat, or oropharyngeal cancer.

It often takes years, even decades, to develop cancer after getting HPV. HPV types 16, 18, 33, 34 have a higher probability of causing cancer, whereas HPV 6 and 11 generally cause warts that rarely become cancer later.

People with weak immune systems (including those withHIV) are at greater risk of developing health problems from HPV, although there is no definitive method of predicting who with HPV will develop cancer or health problems.

HPV tests can be used to screen forcervical cancer, although they are only recommended for screening in women ages 30 and older.

However, there are no tests to confirm a diagnosis of HPV or to detect HPV in the mouth or throat.

Most people with HPV show no symptoms and only find out that they have the virus when they get genital warts. Others may find out during cervical cancer screening or when they are tested for other cancers.

HPV infection and related health problems can be prevented with the following precautions:

• Get theHPV vaccine, which has been found to be safe and effective.
  • Gardasil9 HPVvaccine, which protects from 9 types of HPV, is highly recommended.
  • The CDC recommends HPV vaccination at ages 11-12 years (or as early as 9) and for everyone up to age 26.
  • Some unvaccinated adults ages 27-45 may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider.
• Routine screening for women ages 21-65 years can help prevent cervical cancer.
• Use latex condoms during sex. While this lowers the chances of getting HPV, HPV can still infect areas not covered by acondom.

There is no treatment for HPV, although there are treatments for the health problems caused by the virus.

Genital warts may go away on their own, stay the same, or grow in size or number. Regular screening for the development of abnormal cell lining can help detect and treatprecancerousand cancerous lesions.