What is Human Papilloma Virus?
The human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, is responsible for a high number of infections that, in most cases, do not show symptoms and are spontaneously regressing. This is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Human papillomavirus infection is usually transmitted sexually (vaginal, anal or oral sex), through contact with the skin or mucous membrane. Less commonly, the virus is transmitted during childbirth, or through amniotic fluid, but it can happen.
What is the incubation period of human papillomavirus?
The incubation time of the virus is not certain, but it is estimated that it could occur between 1 and 6 months.
What are the symptoms of human papillomavirus infection?
Human papillomavirus often causes a silent infection with no obvious symptoms or signs.
In cases where the infection has symptoms, these can be:
- itch
- burning or pain during sexual intercourse
- warts, especially in the genital or anal area
- abnormal discharge
- bleeding outside the period of menstruation
How is human papillomavirus infection diagnosed?
Cytology, known as the Pap test, helps to identify early changes in the cells of the cervix, allowing its treatment and surveillance.
Who is most at risk of developing human papillomavirus infection?
Human papillomavirus infection is more frequent in younger people (between 15 and 25 years of age) and in the first 10 years after the onset of sexual activity, with the most common sexually transmitted infection at these ages.
In the sexually active population, 50 to 80% of individuals acquire human papillomavirus infection at some point in their lives, although in the vast majority of cases there is no progression to symptomatic disease.
In addition, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and people with a greater number of sexual partners and who do not use protection are at a higher risk of infection with human papillomavirus.
Are there different types of human papillomavirus?
Yes. There are more than 150 different types of human papillomavirus, of which 40 preferentially affect the organs of the genital region (vulva, vagina, cervix and penis). They are divided into high-risk and low-risk types, depending on the diseases they cause.
The types of sexually transmitted human papillomavirus generally fall into two categories:
- low-risk human papillomavirus: Includes types 6 and 11, which are responsible for most benign diseases caused by HPV, such as condylomas or genital warts
- High-risk human papillomavirus: there are 15 serotypes of this virus, however types 16 and 18 are the most frequent and are responsible for 70% of most serious lesions such as cancer
Can I have already had the infection and not been diagnosed?
Yes. The virus can often be silent, cause no symptoms and be eliminated by the immune system itself.
Can people without symptoms also transmit the virus?
Yes. Even if you don't have symptoms, a person infected with the virus can transmit it to another person, mostly through sexual contact.
What are the main complications of human papillomavirus infection?
Infection with the human papillomavirus can lead to several types of cancers, such as:
- cervix
- vaginal
- anal
- vulva
- Oropharyngeal
- Penile
How can I prevent human papillomavirus?
Prevention of the human papillomavirus can be done through various measures such as:
- To be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, according to medical recommendation Correct and consistent use of condoms
- talking to your partner about sexually transmitted infections and preventing them
- Regular cytology by the woman, commonly known as a Pap test, and/or HPV-DNA test, if recommended and available, even if she has had the vaccine
Is there a vaccine against the human papillomavirus?
yes. The human papillomavirus vaccine is part of the National Vaccination Program. It is recommended for administration at 10 years of age, applicable to girls, in a two-dose schedule (0.6 months).
Since October 2020, boys born from 2009 onwards can get the vaccine free of charge, under the National Vaccination Program, also at 10 years of age.
It should be noted that this vaccine is prophylactic and not therapeutic. This means that it only serves as prevention and is not effective in treating the infection if the person is already infected, hence the importance of early vaccination as a young person and before starting sexual activity.
What is the treatment for human papillomavirus infection?
There are no known drugs that eliminate the virus from the body, but most of the time the immune system itself is able to eliminate the virus.
Usually, treatment focuses on lesions (warts) caused by human papillomavirus infection, according to medical advice. It can vary between:
- Locally applied (topical) medications
- laser electrosurgery
- Cryotherapy
- Surgical excision
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)