What is HPV?
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body, for example, in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat.
HPV is a common and highly contagious infection, with over three quarters of sexually active women acquiring it at some time in their lives.
There are more than 100 types of HPV. Around 40 types of HPV infection can affect the genital area.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body, for example, in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat.
HPV is a common and highly contagious infection, with over three quarters of sexually active women acquiring it at some time in their lives.
There are more than 100 types of HPV. Around 40 types of HPV infection can affect the genital area.
What can HPV infection do?
Infection with some types of HPV can cause:
abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells within your cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer
genital warts, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK
Other types of HPV infection can cause minor problems, such as common skin warts and verrucas.
Is there a vaccination against HPV?
Yes. Since autumn 2008 a national vaccination programme of human papilloma virus (HPV) has been in place for girls aged 12 and 13.
The HPV vaccination programme is being delivered mainly through secondary schools. Three injections of the vaccine are given within a 12-month period by a nurse.
Yes. Since autumn 2008 a national vaccination programme of human papilloma virus (HPV) has been in place for girls aged 12 and 13.
The HPV vaccination programme is being delivered mainly through secondary schools. Three injections of the vaccine are given within a 12-month period by a nurse.
HPV vaccination does not replace the need for regular cervical smear tests in women who are between 25 and 65.
HPV vaccination may also be available at private health and medical clinics, where a fee will be charged.
HPV vaccination may also be available at private health and medical clinics, where a fee will be charged.
Can genital HPV infection be prevented?
Practising safe sex by using condoms can help prevent genital human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.
However, HPV can be present all over the area around your genitals and anus. As condoms do not cover all of your genital area and are usually put on after sexual contact has begun, the HPV infection can still be passed on.
If you've been treated for genital warts, you should use a condom for three to six months after your treatment finishes. This will help to stop you and your partner being reinfected.
Practising safe sex by using condoms can help prevent genital human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.
However, HPV can be present all over the area around your genitals and anus. As condoms do not cover all of your genital area and are usually put on after sexual contact has begun, the HPV infection can still be passed on.
If you've been treated for genital warts, you should use a condom for three to six months after your treatment finishes. This will help to stop you and your partner being reinfected.
HPV vaccination
Since the autumn of 2008, a national programme of HPV vaccination has been in place with all girls in year 8 (aged 12 to 13 years) offered the vaccine against HPV infection.
Can genital HPV infection be tested for?
HPV testing is part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. If a woman’s cervical screening result shows changes in the cells of the cervix or mild abnormalities (called borderline change or low grade (dyskaryosis), an HPV test will be carried out.
There is no blood test for HPV.
In men, there’s currently no reliable test for HPV infection and it's often very difficult to diagnose as there are no symptoms of high-risk HPV. Some people who are known to be at a high risk of having anal HPV and of developing anal cancer may be offered an anal smear.
Genital warts are a sign of infection with low-risk types of HPV and can be diagnosed in men as well as women.
HPV testing is part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. If a woman’s cervical screening result shows changes in the cells of the cervix or mild abnormalities (called borderline change or low grade (dyskaryosis), an HPV test will be carried out.
There is no blood test for HPV.
In men, there’s currently no reliable test for HPV infection and it's often very difficult to diagnose as there are no symptoms of high-risk HPV. Some people who are known to be at a high risk of having anal HPV and of developing anal cancer may be offered an anal smear.
Genital warts are a sign of infection with low-risk types of HPV and can be diagnosed in men as well as women.
Cervical screening test results
If your cervical screening test shows changes in the cells of your cervix, the results may be reported as cell changes or abnormal cells (dyskaryosis) and you’ll be also be tested for high-risk HPV infection. The same sample of cells can be used so you don’t need to have another sample taken.
Only 15-20% of women with borderline change or low grade cell changes will need treatment. The HPV test helps to identify which women with borderline changes or low grade dyskaryosis may need treatment.
If your cervical screening test result shows high-grade dyskaryosis (moderate or severe), you will be referred for a colposcopy examination. This is a way of looking closely at your cervix to see if you need treatment.
HPV test results
If you have borderline change or low-grade dyskaryosis test results, and no evidence of high-risk HPV infection, you’re very unlikely to develop cervical cancer and can continue with routine screening every three or five years, depending on your age.
If your HPV test result shows you have high-risk HPV infection, it means that your risk of developing cancer is greater than if the test result was negative. However, only a tiny proportion of such infections develop into cancers. Regular cervical screening can prevent cancers developing
If you have borderline change or low-grade dyskaryosis test results, and no evidence of high-risk HPV infection, you’re very unlikely to develop cervical cancer and can continue with routine screening every three or five years, depending on your age.
If your HPV test result shows you have high-risk HPV infection, it means that your risk of developing cancer is greater than if the test result was negative. However, only a tiny proportion of such infections develop into cancers. Regular cervical screening can prevent cancers developing
Can genital HPV infections be treated?
There is currently no medical treatment for human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. However, most infections don't cause any serious harm and are cleared by your immune system within two years.
There are about 100 different types of HPV, of which about 40 can infect the genital area. These infections usually cause no symptoms, but some types can lead to problems such as genital warts.
In women, persistent infection with certain "high-risk" types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix, which can increase the risk of cervical cancer. The types of HPV that cause genital warts, however, are "low risk" and are not associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Although the HPV infection itself cannot be treated, treatments are available for the effects of HPV infections. For example, genital warts can be treated with creams and lotions. Abnormal cells in the cervix can also be treated if detected early, which is why it is important to attend cervical screening when invited.
There is currently no medical treatment for human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. However, most infections don't cause any serious harm and are cleared by your immune system within two years.
There are about 100 different types of HPV, of which about 40 can infect the genital area. These infections usually cause no symptoms, but some types can lead to problems such as genital warts.
In women, persistent infection with certain "high-risk" types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix, which can increase the risk of cervical cancer. The types of HPV that cause genital warts, however, are "low risk" and are not associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Although the HPV infection itself cannot be treated, treatments are available for the effects of HPV infections. For example, genital warts can be treated with creams and lotions. Abnormal cells in the cervix can also be treated if detected early, which is why it is important to attend cervical screening when invited.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the womb from the vagina).
Cancer of the cervix often has no symptoms in its early stages. If you do have symptoms, the most common is unusual vaginal bleeding, which can occur after sex, in between periods or after the menopause.
Abnormal bleeding doesn't mean that you definitely have cervical cancer, but it should be investigated by your GP as soon as possible. If your GP thinks you might have cervical cancer, you should be referred to see a specialist within two weeks.
Cancer of the cervix often has no symptoms in its early stages. If you do have symptoms, the most common is unusual vaginal bleeding, which can occur after sex, in between periods or after the menopause.
Abnormal bleeding doesn't mean that you definitely have cervical cancer, but it should be investigated by your GP as soon as possible. If your GP thinks you might have cervical cancer, you should be referred to see a specialist within two weeks.
tags: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Human Papillomavirus, Papillomavirus, Human, virus, HPV, Cervical cancer, Can genital HPV infections be treated?, HPV test results, Cervical screening test results, There is no blood test for HPV., HPV vaccination, Can genital HPV infection be tested for?, Can genital HPV infection be prevented?, What can HPV infection do?, Is there a vaccination against HPV?, What is HPV?,Human papilloma virus (HPV)
is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist
membranes lining your body, for example, in your cervix, anus, mouth and
throat.
