Cervical HPV
Genital HPV or genital human papillomavirus is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. HPV infects the skin and mucous so is easily transmitted during sex. There are actually over 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of men and women.
Many infected people have no idea they have HPV which is why it’s so important to screen for certain diseases that the virus is responsible for like cervical HPV which can cause changes in the cells which leads to cancer.
Cervical HPV virus can cause changes in the cells of the cervix which in turn can lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a malignant cancer of the cervical area. There are no symptoms of cervical HPV and so anyone infected might not realize she has the virus.
Cervical cancer might cause vaginal bleeding, but evident symptoms of the disease might not present until the cancer is in an advanced stage.
There is a test for cervical HPV, but since most people with healthy immune systems fight off the infection easily this test isn’t as important as making a yearly screening for cervical cancer become part of a routine. A Pap smear screen will identify any potential precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix wall. This test is only mildly uncomfortable and a can be part of yearly examine which most insurance companies cover.
Since cervical HPV infection is the cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer an HPV vaccine can be very effective against the two strains of HPV responsible for the disease. The two strains of cervical HPV are responsible for nearly 70% of all cervical cancers in the U.S. Since the vaccine covers only these two types’ women should continue to get yearly Pap smear examinations even after being vaccinated to be sure there is no cervical HPV exposure of the other types.
Cervical HPV will never show any symptoms at any stage, but as cervical cancer progresses; there might be loss of appetite, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain or swelling in one leg, heavy vaginal bleeding, and leaking of waste from the vagina.
Making a routine of a yearly Pap smear is an important health matter for every woman.