Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Unlike the HIV and HSV (herpes) viruses, this virus causes an infection on the skin's surface. It has the potential to cause cervical cancer.
A person who has an HPV infection is characterized by the growth of warts on the skin in various areas of the body, such as the arms, legs, mouth, and genital area. Almost everyone who is sexually active is at risk for this infection. It is estimated that this virus causes around 70% of cases of cervical cancer in the world.
How does a person get HPV?
HPV infection is more common in the age group of teenagers and early 20 years. You can get HPV through skin contact, vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone infected. Generally, vaginal or anal sex makes it easier to transmit the virus.
Everyone who is sexually active risks getting infected with HPV, even if you only do it with one person. The thing to pay attention to is that this infection can occur even without symptoms. Even symptoms can appear several years after sex with an infected person. So it is difficult to detect when someone was first infected with HPV.
How to detect HPV infection?
Several HPV tests can be used for the early detection of cervical cancer. However, this test is only recommended for women aged 30 and over and not recommended for men, teenagers, and women under 30 years. Almost everyone sexually active will get HPV if they don't get the vaccine.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women have a Pap smear at 21, including those who are not sexually active. Women aged 21 to 29 should have a Pap smear every three years. If you are already sexually active, you should routinely run a Pap smear once a year.
How is HPV different in men and women?
Many men infected with HPV have no symptoms, and some develop genital warts. Some strains of HPV can cause penile, anal, and throat cancer in men. Men who have had anal sex and men whose immune systems are at risk of developing cancer due to HPV.
HPV is more common in women. It is estimated that about 80% of women get at least one HPV in their lifetime. Just like men, this infection can occur without causing symptoms in women. Some women may find genital warts which can appear in the vagina, in or around the anus, and on the cervix or vulva.
What are the health problems caused by HPV?
90% of HPV infections clear up on their own within two years. However, the virus remains in the body so that someone infected can transmit it at any time. When the virus is still in the body, serious health problems such as genital warts and cervical cancer can arise.
Genital warts
Genital warts may start as a kind of small wound. The wound then opens, bleeds, becomes warts and dries up until it heals after a few days. You may find it difficult to distinguish warts from pimples or ingrown hairs (ingrown hair).
Cervical cancer
Someone infected with HPV is at risk of developing cervical, throat, and tongue cancer. Signs of the HPV that causes cervical cancer may include bleeding or discharge from the vagina.
Bleeding after sex or during menopause can also signify cervical cancer. In addition, there are other symptoms of human papillomavirus infection, such as pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area and during intercourse.
How to prevent HPV?
The easiest way someone who is sexually active can do to avoid infection with HPV is to use a condom and practice safe sex. Vaccines can also protect a person from HPV infection associated with cancer or genital warts. The CDC recommends men and women ages 11 or 12 get the vaccine. Currently, the HPV vaccine is available in Indonesia in three doses.
If you are sexually active, have regular health checks and Pap smears yearly. If you find symptoms that worry you, contact your doctor immediately to get the proper treatment.