March 4th is International Human Papillomavirus Awareness Day, with the aim of raising awareness among the population about the potential risk of contracting this sexually transmitted disease in men and women, as well as the need to apply the relevant prevention measures.
This day was proclaimed by the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) on March 4, 2018.
What is Human Papillomavirus?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that affects sexually active people of both sexes.
Generally speaking, HPV infections are temporary and not serious. The infection can be cleared spontaneously by the body in 42% of low-grade lesions in infected patients.
Approximately 200 different types of this virus have been detected, some of which can progress to high-risk lesions that can lead to cancer (cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, anus and oropharynx).
In most cases, people affected by this virus do not show symptoms or signs of HPV infection, making regular medical check-ups important.
In the case of women, a Pap test (commonly known as a cervical cytology test) is performed. This test detects abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.
A distinguishing feature of this disease is the appearance of genital warts on the vagina and penis in two types of the virus (6 and 11), characterized by small, soft, painless, fleshy bumps, similar in shape to a miniature cauliflower. Immediate medical attention is required.
Did you know? Some interesting facts about HPV
Below we mention some interesting information about this important topic of sexual health:
- Human Papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world, through contact with infected genitals.
- It is estimated that a high percentage of sexually active men and women will contract at least one of the more than 200 existing types of human papillomavirus during their lifetime.
- After the age of 30, the human body does not have the necessary immune defenses to eliminate the virus on its own.
- 99% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, which takes between 10 and 20 years to develop, with an estimated annual mortality of 270,000 women worldwide, especially in less developed countries.
- The risk of developing anal cancer in the male population when having sex with people of the same sex is comparable to the risk of cervical cancer in women.
- HPV type 16 is linked to some types of head and neck cancer.
- 70% of oral carcinomas are linked to the Human Papillomavirus.
How can the Human Papillomavirus be prevented?
The first step in preventing this virus is sex education, especially for young people. The use of barrier and protective contraceptive methods is recommended to avoid unwanted pregnancies and some sexually transmitted infections (HPV, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, among others).
Furthermore, it is vitally important to visit a specialist doctor annually for the corresponding gynecological and prostate check-up.
One of the strategies used to prevent this virus is HPV vaccination, in order to prevent the initial infection.
In the case of women who have been exposed through sexual contact with a person infected with the virus, it is necessary to carry out the relevant screening using the Cervical Pap Test, in order to detect precancerous lesions linked to this virus and eliminate them with the respective medical treatment.
It is necessary to encourage and support the human papillomavirus prevention approach in developing countries, in order to positively impact the decline in the mortality rate resulting from this sexually transmitted disease.