HPV infection can occur in anyone, regardless of age, even adolescents or children who are not se**xually active can be exposed to the virus. HPV 6 and HPV 11 are HPV viruses that cause geni**tal warts. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are HPV viruses that need to be aware of as they can cause cervical cancer.
To find out what is HPV further, check out the explanation below.
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus and there are more than 100 identified species. This infection can usually heal on its own because our body’s immune system can usually eliminate HPV within one to two years after infection. Different types of HPV can cause different diseases and we group HPV in high and low risk types, depending on its relationship with cervical cancer.
The types of HPV
HPV is a virus estimated to consist of more than 150 types. However, there are only a few types that can trigger cervical cancer, namely HPV 11, 16, and 18.
Recognizing different types is an important challenge, especially in the process of detection of cervical cancer. This is because some types of HPV can disappear by themselves, while others can trigger cancer.
Several types of human papilloma virus have been identified in the world of health, including:
HPV 6 and HPV 11
This type of viral infection is a low-risk type and very rarely causes cancer. For this type of virus, nearly 90% is associated with cases of geni**tal warts.
HPV 11 is also at risk of causing problems with the cervix. However, the problem is generally not always cancerous.
Some of the conditions that can be caused by HPV 11 are cervical dysplasia, as well as changes on the cervical surface.
Geni**tal warts have a small lump-like shape that resembles a cauliflower. Usually, warts will appear on your geni**tals after a few weeks or months of you have se**x with someone infected with human papillomavirus.
Both of these viral infections can be prevented with vaccines. It is estimated that the vaccine can reduce the risk of contracting human papilloma virus by 89-99 percent.
Read also:
HPV Vaccine Gardasil: Indication, Composition, Dosage, Usage, and Side Effects
However, if you have contracted HPV 6 or 11 infection, your doctor will prescribe medications of several types, such as imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) or podofilox (Condylox). These drugs are topical drugs used to treat geni**tal warts due to HPV.
By overcoming warts that appear in the geni**tals, your body’s immune system will improve and your risk of being infected with human papillomavirus at a later time will be reduced.
HPV 16 and HPV 18
Unlike HPV 6 and 11, HPV 16 and 18 are viruses that are classified as high-risk types. If you are infected with that type of human papilloma, it is unlikely that you will experience any symptoms, even if both are triggers for cervical cancer.
HPV 16 and 18 are viruses that are the cause of 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide.
In addition to the cervix, some of the organs of the body that can be affected by HPV 16 and 18 infections are the vagi**na, vulva, pe**nis, and anus.
How do we get HPV?
Some types of HPV are transmitted through inter**course. Research abroad states that up to 70% of all se**xually active women have been infected with HPV throughout their lifetime.
Therefore, being infected with HPV is not considered to be suffering from a se**xually transmitted disease. If you are infected, it will be difficult to track the time and from whom you are infected. For couples who have se**xual activity, both can be infected.
HPV Risk Factors
There are several conditions that can trigger a high risk of being infected with the HPV virus, namely:
- Have a weakened immune system.
- Have open wounds on the skin.
- Suffer from se**xually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.
- Having inter**course through a**nal.
What is HPV Symptoms
HPV virus infection often causes no symptoms. But in some cases, this virus can survive to cause symptoms in the form of warts on the surface of the skin. Warts can grow on the arms, legs, face, and genitals. Here are the characteristics of warts on the skin, according to the growing area:
- Warts that grow on the shoulders, arms, and fingers. Warts that grow in this area are in the form of lumps that feel rough. These warts can be painful and prone to bleeding.
- Warts that grow on the soles of the feet (plantar warts). It is hard and feels rough, causing discomfort when treading.
- Warts on the face area: Warts on the face have a flat surface (flat warts). In children, it appears more often in the lower jaw area.
- Genital warts: Genital warts are shaped like cauliflower and can grow on both female and male genitalia. In addition to the genitals, warts can also grow in the rectum and cause itching.
Read also:
How To Cure HPV Naturally
Thank you very much for reading What is HPV: Definition, +150 Types, Risk Factors, and How Do We Get It? Hopefully useful.
