Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an umbrella term for approximately 200 strains of a virus that infects the stratified epithelium of its human hosts. In some instances, HPV viruses cause signs and symptoms; in other instances, they do not.
Forty or so of these HPV strains can be spread through sexual contact, making HPV a sexually transmitted disease.
HPV Infection
Fifty percent of all sexually active men and women will develop at least one HPV infection over the course of their lifetime. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that at any one time, 20 million Americans have active an HPV infection.
In the majority of these cases, the infection will resolve on its own without medical intervention. In a small number of cases, however, the infection will lead to changes in epithelial cells that can be detected through a Pap smear test. If left untreated over time, these epithelial abnormalities can develop into pre-cancerous lesions, ultimately progressing to cervical cancer.
HPV infections can be categorized as high-risk or low-risk. Among the high-risk HPV virus strains are HPV 16 and HPV 18: Between them, they cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Low-risk HPV strains include HPV 6 and HPV 11, which are responsible for those genital growths called genital warts.
Protected Sex and Cervical Cancer Prevention
Unlike most other sexually transmitted diseases in human beings, protected sex using condoms is not the key to preventing HPV infection, according to the CDC. HPV can infect parts of the skin where condoms don’t reach, and since HPV is asymptomatic in many instances, people may not even realize they are carrying the infections.
Several studies have suggested that regular use of condoms may prevent the progression of HPV infection to cervical cancer.
HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention
The most effective prevention against high-risk HPV strains associated with cervical cancer is vaccination. The vaccine is most effective if it’s administered to a girl before she becomes sexually active. Vaccination can be given to a girl between the agers of nine and twelve, and again between the ages of 13 and 26.
In the U.S., two types of HPV vaccines are available: Gardasil (Merck) and Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline) Both vaccines offer protection against HPV 16 and HPV 18 for girls and women who have not yet been infected with the viruses’ Gardasil also offers protection against HPV 6 and HPV 11, responsible for causing genital warts, which while not life-threatening, are regarded as unsightly by most women.
The vaccine has no effect whatsoever on existing HPV infections. For that reason, it is only recommended for women who haven’t been exposed to HPV virus – generally because they haven’t become sexually active yet. Both women and men are HPV carriers and in the U.S. and the U.K., HPV vaccines have been approved for use by both females and males.
Pap Smears and Cervical Cancer Prevention
HPV vaccines do not protect against every type of cervical cancer. For that reason, it’s important for a woman to continue receiving regular Pap smears even if she has been vaccinated.
