HPV is a very common virus in the US (more than 3 million reported cases per year). Human papillomaviruses belong to the Papillomaviridae family of viruses that cause skin and mucosal lesions, commonly referred to as warts. More than 100 variants of human papillomavirus (HPV) spread from skin-to-skin contact. A few sorts of HPV diseases cause warts, and some can cause various kinds of malignant lesions.
According to the CDC, human papillomavirus disease is the most common sexually transmitted infection.2 Out of 100 types, around 40 spreads through sexual contact. These viruses are so common that it is predicted that most people have at least some kind of this virus infection at some point in their lives. The majority of HPV do not cause any trouble, and you might be unaware of the infection. Some types are considered high risk for malignancy.
Most HPV infections don’t prompt malignant growth. However, a few kinds of genital HPV can cause cancer of the lower part of the uterus and cervix. Different types of malignant growths, including tumors of the rear-end, penis, vagina, vulva, and back of the throat (oropharyngeal), have been connected to HPV infection.
Immunizations can help protect against the high-risk strains of HPV, which cause genital warts or cervical infection. In the majority of cases, the immune system of your body overcomes HPV infection before it makes warts. When warts do show up, they change in appearance, relying upon which type of HPV is involved. The various forms of warts can be Plantar warts, Level warts, Genital warts, and Normal warts.
Many people with oropharyngeal HPV diseases have no symptoms and, in this way, don’t understand that they are infected with HPV and can spread the infection to their partners.
HPV Risk Factors
Risk factors for HPV disease include multiple sex partners. If you have more sexual partners, the more likely you will get genital HPV infection. Having intercourse with a partner who has had numerous sex partners additionally builds your risk.
You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with somebody who has the infection. It spreads most likely spread during vaginal or anal sex. Additionally, it spreads through close skin-to-skin contact during sex. An individual with HPV can pass the infection to someone else even if they have no signs or symptoms of the disease at the moment.
Generally, youngsters are at the highest risk of getting infected with HPV. Genital warts happen most frequently in teenagers and youthful grown-ups. Individuals with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of HPV diseases. People with compromised/weakened immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS patients or individuals taking immunosuppressive medications after organ transplant, are at greater risk.
Areas of skin that have been damaged are more susceptible to developing warts. Having direct contact with warts or being exposed to an environment contaminated with HPV, such as public showers or swimming pools, increases your risk of contracting HPV infection. Genital HPV is spread through contact with the skin of somebody who has a subclinical HPV infection. (Next we look at preventative measures.)
