ALL ABOUT HPV ( HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS) INFECTION AND VACCINATION

What is HPV infection ?

HPV infection is a viral infection that most commonly causes mucous membrane growths called warts . Warts can be of different types such as genital , plantar , flat , common warts etc.

Although rare, Some of the varieties of Human Papillomavirus may also cause different types of cancers , most common being the cancer of the cervix . Other thypes of cancers linked to HPV are anal cancer , penis cancer , oropharyngeal cancer etc.

What are the causes of HPV infection ?

HPV infections are most often transmitted sexually or through other skin to skin contact .

Vaccines can act as a shield against the strains of HPV which are most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer .

How do I know that I have HPV infection ? ( Symptoms and complications )

In most cases our immune system fights and defeats the HPV infection before it leads to warts . Warts may vary in appearance depending on the strain of infection causing HPV.

GENITAL WARTS :

Source:osmosis.org (for edu. purpose only)

Female genital warts

They can appear on the genitals, in the pubic area or in the anal canal. In women, genital warts can also grow inside the vagina.

Male genital warts

Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. They can appear on the genitals, in the pubic area or in the anal canal.

PLANTAR WARTS :

Src: verywell health ( for edu. Purpose only )

COMMON WARTS :

Src: Lloyd dermatology centre ( for edu. Purpose only )

Common warts can grow on your hands or fingers. They’re small, grainy bumps that are rough to the touch.

FLAT WARTS :

Source : internet ( for edu. Purpose only )

Flat warts are smaller and smoother than other warts. They generally occur on the face or legs and are more common in children and teens than in adults.

CERVICAL CANCER :

Src. News medical and lifesciences (for educl. Purpose only)

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection , but most of the times it is diagnosed almost 20 years after the actual infection .

Early cervical cancer doesn’t cause symptoms therefore , it is vital that women have regular screening tests to detect any precancerous changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. According to Current guidelines , women ages 21 to 29 shall have a PAP test every three years. If the PAP test is negative in 3 consecutive tests , they can reduce the frequency of tests as per their doctor’s advice .

PREVENTION AND VACCINATION

CERVARIX :

Cervarix is a vaccine against certain types of cancer-causing HPV. It is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18, that cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. These types also cause most HPV-induced genital and head and neck cancers.

GARDASIL :

Gardasil is an HPV vaccine developed by Merck & Co. The HPV strains that Gardasil protects against are sexually transmitted , specifically HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 cause an estimated 70% of cervical cancers, and are responsible for most HPV-induced anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancer cases. HPV types 6 and 11 cause an estimated 90% of genital warts cases. HPV type 16 is responsible for almost 90% of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers, and the prevalence is higher in males than females. Gardasil doesn’t treat existing infection but vaccination is still recommended for HPV-positive individuals in order to protect against one or more different strains of the disease.

GARDASIL 9 :

GARDASIL 9 is a vaccine indicated in females 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.

GARDASIL 9 is indicated in males 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by HPV Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.

The oropharyngeal and head and neck cancer indication is approved under accelerated approval based on effectiveness in preventing HPV-related anogenital disease. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

GARDASIL 9 does not eliminate the necessity for vaccine recipients to undergo screening for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers as recommended by a health care provider.

HOW TO COPE WITH HPV ?

*DISCLAIMER : INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PURPOSE ONLY . THIS IS NOT AN MEDICAL ADVICE OR DIAGNOSIS . PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN IF YOU FEEL UNWELL *

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