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HPV FACTS |
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Fact Sheet
 HPV's
are a group of more than 100 types of viruses called papillomaviruses (pronounced
pap-ih-lo-ma-vye-rus) because some of them can also cause warts, or papillomas, which are
non-cancerous (benign) tumors. (American Cancer Society -ACS)
Certain
types, however, cause cancer of the cervix; these are called
"high-risk" types. (ACS)
HPV
strains 16 and 18 (high-risk) are responsible for approximately 75% of
all cervical cancer cases. (ACS)
Other
types of HPVs cause different types of warts in different parts of your
body. For example:
- common warts on the hands and feet
- warts on the lips or tongue
- warts on or around the female and male genital organs and the anal
area
These HPV
types are passed from one person to another during skin-to-skin contact.
HPV 6 and
11 cause approximately 90% of genital wart cases. These seldom are
linked to cervical cancer and are called "low-risk" types.
There is
currently no cure or treatment for HPV infection. (ACS)
HPV
infection usually causes no symptoms. (ACS)
HPV
infection causes changes in cells of the cervix that can be found by the
Pap test. (ACS)
Many
doctors are now testing for HPV if the Pap test result is mildly
abnormal. (ACS)
If a
high-risk type of HPV is present, doctors will do a colposcopy and
consider further treatment. (ACS)
HPV types
6, 11, 16 and 18, cause 35 to 50 percent of all low-grade cervical,
vaginal and vulvar lesions.
All four
of the above mentioned HPV strains cause abnormal Pap test results. The
lesions caused by types 6 and 11 are clinically indistinguishable from
pre-cancerous lesions caused by types 16 and 18.
Worldwide Prevalence:
One
in four people aged 15-24 are infected with HPV.
630
million (1 in 10) are infected with HPV.
Over 50
percent of sexually active women and men will acquire HPV in their
lifetimes.
32
million new cases of genital warts occur each year worldwide.
Most
people with an HPV infection show no signs or symptoms.
Source: Courtesy of Gardasil
Note: The above
information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise
and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare
professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it
can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek
professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition
once it has been diagnosed.
Posted 20/JAN/07
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