How HPV is transmitted and how to prevent it

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is usually passed from person to person through direct skin contact. This is a very common sexually transmitted disease.

Knowing how HPV is transmitted will help women have ways to prevent this disease. Because the virus develops silently and has no obvious symptoms, many people contract it without knowing it.

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world today. There are different types of HPV, some of which can cause health problems, including genital warts and 6 types of cancer, for long-term infections.

HPV is a virus that causes human papillomavirus.

Most people infected with HPV do not know they have it and do not experience any symptoms or health problems. Women can know they have HPV when they receive an abnormal cervical cancer screening test result.

How is the HPV virus transmitted?

Many people wonder whether the HPV virus is contagious or how it is transmitted. Around this issue, specialists said:

HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having direct vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus.

HPV is the most common vaginal or anal transmission. HPV can be transmitted even if the person who transmits the infection does not have any signs or symptoms.

People who are sexually active are more likely to get HPV when:

• Having sex too soon;
• Scratches on the skin of the external genitals;
• Having many sexual partners;
• Have a sexual partner who has had sex with many people before.

Anyone who has had sex can get HPV, even if you have sex with only one person. Sometimes you only develop symptoms years after you have sex with an infected person. This makes it difficult to determine the exact duration of a person's illness.

Anyone who has had sex can get HPV

It should be noted that a person cannot become infected with HPV through:

• Toilet;
• Hug or hold hands;
• Poor hygiene;
• Eating or sharing utensils;
• Swim together in a pool or hot tub;
• Genetic factors.

How long does HPV stay in the human body?

The virus remains in the patient's body for life, even if the patient has no symptoms or has been treated for symptoms. Normally, the body fights off the virus on its own before health problems can occur. But if not, the virus will turn normal cells into abnormal, causing cancer for the patient.

What diseases does HPV cause?

In most cases of HPV, there are no symptoms of the disease, and the patient goes away on his own without leaving any complications. If infected with dangerous strains, the patient can have health problems such as warts , herpes. Acne shapes vary from small to large, from rising or falling. In addition, patients can also have different types of cancer.

How to prevent HPV infection?

Get vaccinated against HPV

The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of infection. The CDC recommends that all boys and girls get 2 doses of the HPV vaccine between ages 11 and 12, or it can be started as early as age 9. For the HPV vaccine to be most effective, it should be given before exposure to the virus. Therefore, the HPV vaccine is recommended in children to ensure long-term protection. Also, people under 26 can also get the vaccine if they haven't been vaccinated before.

The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of infection.

If a child received their first dose of the vaccine before age 15, only a total of 2 doses are needed. For adolescents who start vaccination at or after the age of 15, 3 doses are required.

Safe sex

Based on the mechanism by which the HPV virus is transmitted, you can actively find ways to limit the virus infection for yourself. For sexually active people, it is important to prevent the risk of contracting HPV-related diseases by:

• Using condoms : Although it can limit the rate of HPV infection, the virus can still be transmitted through areas not covered by condoms. So this measure cannot give you maximum protection;
• Monogamy: Having sex with only one person. However, there are still cases where a sexual partner can get the infection from another person and pass it on to you. Need medical examination when suspected at risk of HPV infection
• For women aged 21-65 years, cervical cancer screening should be done annually, for early detection and timely treatment.

The HPV virus is spread through the mouth, vagina, and anus during sex, so having a new partner is a risk factor for getting the new virus. While people in long-term monogamous relationships are less likely to contract the virus. You can prevent your risk of cancer by getting the HPV vaccine starting at age 11-12.