How many types of HPV affect the female genital system?
Nowadays, HPV is a group of more than 200 related types. About 40 of them can infect the genital area and are divided into low-risk or high-risk types. There are at least 14-15 types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer, with HPV 16 and 18 considered to be the most dangerous ones, as they are responsible for 70% of the relevant malignancies.
How is the HPV virus transmitted?
HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse and most people are infected with it shortly after the onset of sexual activity. This disease is spread easily during anal and vaginal sex, and it can also be spread through oral sex, skin-to-skin touching during sex or through the use of infected sex toys. In contrast, transmission of HPV from surfaces such as the toilet seat, faucets, or knobs, has not been recorded.
HPV can be spread even when an infected person has no visible signs or symptoms. It is noted that the use of condom can provide only partial protection against HPV. In other words, it usually goes on its own as most people don’t even know that they have it. Similarly, detecting the HPV infection does not necessarily substantiate how recent the sexual contact with the infected partner was.
What are the consequences of HPV infection?
Most HPV infections are asymptomatic, with up to 90% going into spontaneous remission within about two years. However, sometimes, HPV infections last longer and can cause:
- Cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer in women,
- Penile cancer in men,
- Cancer in the anus and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both men and women.
- Warts on the genitals and around the anus in both men and women.
