Protecting Yourself Against HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is by far, one of the most common and contagious sexually transmitted diseases (STD). HPV infection is caused due to a virus, which is said to have more than 100 types of strains. A few of the HPV infections cause mucous membrane growth on the skin which are also known as warts. The other types of virus strains cause different types of cancers around the genitals, anus, vagina, penis and vulva. The infection is highly contagious and the infected person may or may not develop any symptoms, but can still be a carrier and infect the others through sexual or intimate skin contact.

HPV can prove to be deadly when the infected person starts to develop cancer of the genitals and cervical cancer. Hence, it is highly important to protect yourself against HPV, either through vaccination or taking precautions while being sexually active. Preventing yourself from the HPV virus should be your first defence measure.

How to protect yourself from HPV virus

One should understand the severity of HPV and follow the below mentioned strategies to protect themselves from contacting the deadly virus.

1. HPV vaccination to avoid HPV cancers and skin warts:  The HPV vaccine is effective enough to protect against the HPV infections that cause most cervical cancers and cancer of the genitals including anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Since most HPV infections spread through sexual contact, the HPV vaccination proves to be highly effective when given before the person becomes sexually active. If you are aged between 15-45 years, the vaccine is given is 3 separate shots in a duration of about six months. 

2. Limit the number of sex partners: Another effective way to prevent yourself against the HPV virus is limiting the number of sexual partners. Higher the number of active sexual partners, the higher is the chance for you to get infected with HPV. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship will also help, as this will ensure that your partner is sexually active with none other than you.

3. Use of condoms: If you have an active sexual life, it is highly important for you to use condoms while you are involved in any kind of sexual activity, be it oral, anal or vaginal sex. This will considerably bring down the chances for you to contact the HPV infection. Use of latex condoms is considered to be highly effective. However, HPV can also attack those areas of your skin which are not covered by condoms, but it still offers a greater probability of safeguarding yourself from the infection.

4. Timely screening for women to catch precancers: In some women, HPV infection begins to change the cells of the cervix which later on develop into cervical cancer. It is very important to conduct timely screening so that early detection and treatment can prevent the infection from becoming cancerous. There are mainly two types of tests that are used for the screening of HPV infection to check for cervical cancers. One of the tests is a Pap Test which is done by collecting cells from the cervix and checking for any abnormal cell growth. The other type of test checks for the presence of any virus rather than abnormalities.

Presently, there are no specific medical tests to find out about the HPV infection in a person. However, tests may be conducted to investigate cervical cancer or precancerous. These tests are also conducted only in women who are more than 30 years of age. There are also no specific signs and symptoms to know whether a person has HPV infection or not, which is why most people never know that they are infected and unknowingly become carriers of this infection. Even if the person is infected, it may take a few months for them to develop symptoms like warts on the skin and other health problems. It is suggested that women above 30 years of age should regular see their gynecologists for Pap tests, to diagnose any precancers or cervical cancer.

Treatment for health problems caused by HPV

There is no specific treatment for the HPV virus, however, medical experts have laid down certain treatments to bring down the effect of health problems caused due to the HPV virus.

1. Genital warts: Warts can start to develop in any part of the genitals and if left untreated they keep growing in size and number. Warts can be treated with proper medication, so it is important to consult a healthcare provider as and when you notice such developments around your genitals.

2. Cervical precancer: Prevention is the first tool of defence and women who undergo regular Pap tests are able to diagnose and significant chances of precancers. If pre cancers are treated well on time, the chances of developing cancer reduces significantly.