HPV Transmission

From the many hundred diseases that humans get affected with, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) always top the list. And one of them is HPV. HPV virus (also known as the Human Papillomaviruses), is a very common STD which has affected more than 20 million people in the United States. This virus group comprises about 100 kinds of human papillomaviruses, of which some are mild and some can cause cancerous developments inside the body (like cervical cancer). In fact, they are categorized as low risk and high risk HPV types, of which the later can pose serious health concerns (like cancer).

HPV Transmission Rates

The first signs indicating the onset of the infection are warts erupting in the genital regions. The warts may also appear on hands and feet. However, the symptoms may differ for the type of HPV which has infested in the body.

This HPV virus is highly contagious and spreads through a cut, a dermal tear or a skin abrasion. Precisely, it spreads via skin-to-skin contact. And in the most common cases, HPV transmission by oral sex or unprotected sexual intercourse (includes vaginal contact, vulva) is one of the major causes for HPV in men. In fact, an HPV infected woman can pass on this virus to her infant during delivery, which may cause lesions in the baby's respiratory system and genitals. And this is a very serious condition for newborns, who may have to undergo frequent laser surgeries to prevent blockages in the nasal tract. Studies show that about 2000 out of 4 million infants contract this recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis during the lactating period.

• Genital warts are the most common symptoms of HPV. A bump like growth or a stem like protrusion in the vulva or anus or in the cervix or in vagina, can confirm HPV infestation. In men, these warts may appear on scrotum or around anus and in penis. They are caused by low HPV types 6 and 11, and are not a major concern, except for causing a little discomfort.
• As HPV have various strains, certain types can also cause cellular altercations that can lead to precancerous lesions, also known as pre malignant genital lesions. In women, they are mostly found in cervix, vagina or vulva. If they are caused by type 6 and 11, the cell changes revert to normal over a period of time without treatment. However if the types are of high grade HPV (like type 16 and 18), the cellular abnormalities can culminate into cancerous ailments like cervical cancer.
• In most cases, where couples indulge in unprotected oral sex, there is a high chance of contracting oral and upper respiratory lesions. HPV oral transmission can result in lesions on tongue, tonsils, nasal tract and larynx. Again, the seriousness of transmission depends on the HPV kind, whether it is low or high, as the latter one always has a greater risk factor attached to it.
• Symptoms of HPV in adolescents and kids can be detected with eruption of common warts, plantar warts and flat warts, which are all non malignant in nature.

Although this infection, if caused by low risk HPV is self healing, there are certain risk factors which can aggravate this medical condition, in case of cancerous developments. People with a vulnerable immune system and who have multiple partners, are often susceptible to contracting HPV. There are many tests for diagnosing this infection, like vinegar solution test or a PAP Smear Test (one of the options for detecting HPV in women which tests for cancerous cells in cervix). A DNA test can detect about 13 high risk HPV types (inclusive of type 16 and 18).

The best way to avert HPV transmission are abstinence or a life long monogamy. Women must regularly take the PAP smear test to keep checking for any anomaly in the cervical cells. Men are advised to use latex condoms, although they do not offer 100% protection against the virus. Till date, there is no effective vaccine for this infection (particularly for men), although there are prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines which have been developed for targeting the high risk HPV type 16. So here, prevention is any day better than cure!