Why is hpv so common

HPV infections are very common. Nearly everyone will get HPV at some point in their lives. HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Most HPV infections 9 out of 10 go away by themselves within 2 years. But sometimes, HPV infections will last longer and can cause some cancers. HPV infections can cause cancers of the:.

HPV vaccination can be started at age 9 years. Children who get the first dose before their 15 th birthday only need two doses. HPV can be tested for in conjunction with a cervical smear. The purpose of this test is to help the doctor in further management decisions on abnormal cervical smear results.

There are several available treatments for genital HPV wart removal, although treatment is optional. Read more about HPV diagnosis and treatment here. There are links between cancers such as cervical cancer and HPV , but please be reassured that a diagnosis of HPV infection does not equate to cancer.

Warty lesions in the anogenital and oral areas are usually caused by low-risk lrHPV. There are treatment options available for high grade cervical abnormalities. No treatment is available for HPV that is 'silent' i. However the majority of HPV is naturally cleared by the body's immune system within years.

A key point is that HPV is preventable. About HPV Virus. What is HPV? How is HPV transmitted? HPV is not transmitted via blood or body fluids e.

When did the HPV infection occur? Is there an HPV test? In some people, the virus is "hibernating" at levels that are not detectable by testing. It is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV in their lifetime.

HPV is a group of more than related viruses. Each type of HPV virus is given a number. HPV types are classified as either low risk or high risk based on whether they put a person at risk for cancer. The HPV type that causes warts is low risk, meaning that it rarely develops into cancer. High-risk HPV does not cause warts, but can develop into cancer. High-risk HPV types lead to cancers not only of the cervix but also of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils.

Most people clear the infection—including the high-risk types—within two years, without ever knowing they had it. A small proportion of women have an infection that becomes persistent. Smoking increases your risk of developing a persistent HPV infection. Smoking is also linked to a higher risk for both cervical and vulvar cancers.

HPV is not transmitted through bodily fluids such as semen or saliva, but through skin-to-skin contact. This happens most easily through sexual contact, such as vaginal, anal and oral sex.