Here are some questions that people learning about human papillomavirus and its consequences might want to ask themselves, a friend, family member, or their doctor.
Have a look at the following questions to quickly find out the things you need to know. You can also print them out to help share what you have learned with your friend, family member, or doctor.
1. Q: What is human papillomavirus?
A: There are more than 100 types of human
papillomavirus. Most of them are relatively harmless, like the ones that cause common warts found on hands and feet but a few are responsible for diseases such as cervical cancer and genital warts. For most people, the body’s own defence system will clear the virus. Learn more about human papillomavirus.
2. Q: Which types of human papillomavirus cause more serious consequences?
A: About 40 types of human papillomavirus affect the genital area. Some types can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that sometimes turn into cancer. Some types can cause external genital lesions like vulval and vaginal lesions, and genital warts.
3. Q: How common is human papillomavirus?
A: Human papillomavirus is very common, easily transmitted and can be totally symptomless. Human papillomaviruses affect both women and men, and the majority of us will encounter this virus at some point in our life. Sexual relations, that involves genital contact with someone carrying genital papillomaviruses,could result in infection.
Genital contact with a single partner who has human papillomavirus is sufficient to cause infection. It has been shown that most people now contract the human papillomavirus in adolescence.
4. Q: How will I know if I have human papillomavirus?
A: Most women learn they have human papillomavirus as a result of abnormal cervical smear tests. A
cervical smear test (also known as a smear test) is part of a gynaecological examination that can help detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become pre-cancerous or cervical cancer.
Learn about smear tests and other follow-up tests.
5. Q: How do you get human papillomavirus?
A: Any person who has genital contact with an infected person can get human papillomavirus.It is possible to be infected without having full sex. and therefore, because many people who have the virus may not show any signs or symptoms, the virus can be transmitted without their knowledge
6. Q: How is cervical cancer related to human papillomavirus?
7. Q: How common is cervical cancer?
A: In Europe, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among young women (between 15-44). In Europe 40 women die each day of cervical cancer.
In the UK there are approximately 2,800 new cases of cervical cancer every year and about 1,100 deaths every year. This means in the UK, 21 women on average die each week from cervical cancer.
8. Q: What are abnormal cervical cells?
A: Abnormal cervical cells are cells in the lining of the cervix that have changed in appearance. These changes are often called cervical dysplasia and the abnormal cells are detected by cervical smear tests. The more severe the cervical abnormality, the more likely it is that cervical cancer could develop in the future. Most often this can take a number of years.
Learn more about abnormal cervical cells.
9. Q: What are genital warts?
A: Genital warts are flesh-coloured growths that appear on the external genital area or near the anus of both men and women. Although less common, they can also appear inside the vagina and on the cervix. Removal of the lesions can be difficult and painful and they often recur. Genital warts can also cause people to feel uncomfortable in new or existing relationships.
The estimated annual number of genital warts cases in the UK are 81,000.
10. Q: Does genital papillomavirus cause any other diseases?
11. Q: What causes genital warts?
A: Genital warts are caused by certain "low-risk" types of human papillomavirus. The types of human papillomavirus that can cause genital warts are different from the types that can cause cervical cancer.
12. Q: What can I do to reduce the chances of developing human papillomavirus-related diseases?
- Talk with your doctor
Your doctor is one of your best sources of information.
- Get screened
If you have been diagnosed with a human papillomavirus-related disease, talk to your doctor about available treatments.
- Get tested
Early detection of abnormal cervical cells is key. Learn more about lifesaving cervical smear tests.