What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an infection that four out of five people will have at some stage of their life and never know it. There are over 100 types of HPV that affect different parts of the body. Approximately 20 types of HPV affect the genital area and the cervix.
How common is HPV?
HPV is so common that it could be considered a normal part of life after you start to have sex, with four out of five people having HPV in their life.
How does HPV spread?
HPV is spread through genital skin contact during sex. HPV is not spread through blood or other body fluids. Condoms provide only limited protection from HPV as they do not completely cover genital skin.
How do I know if I have HPV?
Most people will have HPV at some stage in their life and never know it. You may become aware of HPV if you have an abnormal Pap smear result, or if genital warts appear. In the majority of cases, however, no symptoms are present.
How is HPV treated?
In most people, the virus clears up naturally in one to two years. In a small number of women HPV stays in the cells of the cervix. If the infection is not cleared, there is an increased risk of cervical cancer. When cervical cancer develops, HPV is found in almost all cases.
Most women who have HPV will clear the virus naturally and do not go on to develop cervical cancer. A number of other factors may increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. These are increasing age, smoking and lowered immunity, together with the long term cell changes caused by HPV.
It is important to have a Pap smear every two years so that cell changes caused by HPV can be identified and monitored or treated as necessary.
Should I be tested for HPV?
Testing for HPV is not necessary in most cases as the virus will clear naturally in one or two years. You should, however, have regular Pap smears every 2 years to reduce the risks of developing cervical cancer.
How can HPV be prevented?
A vaccine has been developed to prevent certain types of HPV that are mostly associated with cervical cancer. The vaccine works by preventing HPV infection and will not treat existing infection or disease. It is therefore most effective if given prior to the commencement of sexual activity.
In November 2006, the Australian Government announced that it would fund the provision of HPV vaccine for girls and women aged 12/13 to 26 to commence in 2007. The program will roll out over two years. For more information about the HPV vaccine visit the Immunise Australia Program.
While the new vaccine aims to prevent cervical cancer in most cases in the future, a regular Pap smear every 2 years is currently the most effective way of detecting and preventing cervical cancer.
For more information on HPV you can view the link between cervical cancer and HPV booklet or contact your Pap smear provider.
Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Feedback
Other languages
© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.
