Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer, with an estimated 266,000 deaths per year. Currently, there are more than 100 different types of HPV and it is estimated that 80% of women have had it at some time in their lives. Even so, it should be noted that this virus affects women as well as men and can cause serious diseases such as oropharyngeal cancer.
What are the symptoms of Human Papilloma Virus?
Everything will depend on the type of oncovirus potential degree. Those of low potential produce symptoms such as condylomas (genital warts), usually type 6 or 11.
At a more serious level, there are those that cause lesions of the cervix and pharynx. These high-risk HPVs are asymptomatic and are usually type 16 or 18. In this case, symptoms are only noticed if they worsen and end in a disease such as cervical cancer.
What are the routes of transmission of the virus?
The infection is transmitted sexually, either by sexual intercourse or by using a sex toy with a person infected with HPV.
What diseases can it induce?
This virus can cause multiple diseases; among the most common are cervical lesions. These are intraepithelial neoplasms, slightly abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix that, depending on the degree, can eventually lead to cancer.
But it can also lead to other cancers such as oro-pharyngeal, anal or penile cancer.
What treatments are currently available?
At present, there is no treatment in the early stages of the infection that prevents the disease from progressing. Recently, a Japanese fungus called AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) has been discovered that hinders the spread of the virus, but its actual effectiveness is not yet known.
Once disease has developed, it would be surgically removed.
Can HPV infection be prevented?
The HPV vaccine helps protect against certain types of the virus. These are given in different series separated in time: 3 injections for people between 15 and 45 years of age and 2 for people between 9 and 14 years of age.
Obviously, if sex is not practiced, there is no contagion. The use of condoms also helps.
Does it affect women more than men?
No. It affects equally and vaccination is very important for both men and women. For years, due to economic problems, women were prioritized for vaccination against HPV, since they have a more severe symptomatology than men. This is because one is visible, being external genitalia, and the other is not visible, being located in internal genitalia.