The sexually transmitted virus can cause cancers of the mouth, anus and cervix

Even in the US, 70% of adults do not know this terrible harm of HPV virus.

This is the result of a study at the Houston Public Health School - University of Texas Health Science Center. The researchers studied 3,564 men and 4,697 women and found that fewer men knew about the risk of cancer of HPV than women. Two-thirds of men and one-third of women ages 18-26 participating in the study were unaware that HPV can cause cervical cancer.

Meanwhile, more than 80% of men and 75% of women in the same age group above; 70% of American adults of any age - unaware HPV can cause cancers of the mouth, penis, anus.

HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection.

The global spread

HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection. It affects at least half the people of the sexually active age.

HPV is at the top of the global list of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , 4 out of 5 people get HPV at least once in their lifetime.

In most cases, your body's immune system fights the virus and you will not need to perform further tests. In fact, some people may not even know that they are carrying the HPV virus.

HPV infection attacks the skin and mucous membranes (any type of moist membranes such as the palate and throat, cervix, anus).

Cancer development

Different types of HPV affect different parts of the body, causing damage like HPV types 1 and 2 that cause foot warts.

Of the 100 types of HPV that have been identified, about 40 types affect the male and female genitalia with 20 likely to cause cancer.

Vaccination with HPV can help prevent the risk of cancer caused by this virus. According to the study, among those who can get the HPV vaccine or whose relatives are eligible for the shot, only 19% of men and 31.5% of women received recommendations for the HPV vaccine at health care facilities. strong.

Vaccination with HPV can help prevent the risk of cancer caused by this virus.

Get the HPV vaccine to prevent cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), boys and girls aged 9-14 should be immunized twice. It will be 3 times if the first vaccine is given on or after the child's 15th birthday.

Recently, the CDC also recommended that adults aged 27-45 can decide to get the HPV vaccine based on discussions with their doctors.

A 2018 CDC report suggested that only 51% of people of the recommended age for HPV vaccinations follow the vaccination schedule.

Dr. Ashish Deshmukh, an assistant professor at UTHealth School of Public Health, who led the study, said: `` The lack of knowledge contributes to low HPV vaccine rates in the United States. Advocacy campaigns focus solely on preventing cervical cancer in women. Our research shows the need to educate both sexes about HPV as well as the HPV vaccine. The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased over the past 15-20 years thanks to good screening.

Meanwhile, the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer in men increased by more than 200% and the incidence of anal cancer in women also increased by nearly 150%.

Dr Kalyani Sonawane, assistant professor at UTHealth School of Public Health, who co-authored the study, added: "The limited knowledge of HPV in older age groups is particularly problematic because they are more likely to be / will be parents who are responsible for their child's decision to give HPV vaccinations . "

"Improving the vaccination rate of HPV vaccine is important in reversing the situation of increasing the incidence of these cancers" - Dr. Deshmukh said.

Gardasil vaccine prevents HPV-16 and HPV-18.

Information to know about the HPV vaccine

Gardasil vaccine prevents HPV-16 and HPV-18. These are the two types of HPV virus responsible for up to 70% of cervical cancer cases. It can also prevent the risk of HPV-6 and HPV-11 - 2 strains of HPV that cause genital warts.

Only recently, girls aged 12-13 in the UK have been offered the HPV vaccine as part of the NHS children's immunization program. This September, 12-13 year old boys will also be offered the first HPV vaccine for the first time.

If you miss this shot over the age of 18 and currently under 18, you'll need 3. According to the CDC recommendation, all women ages 26 and younger should get the HPV vaccine. This is also recommended for men under 21 years of age.

What are the symptoms of HPV infection?

The majority of individuals infected with the HPV virus do not show clear symptoms. Therefore, it is difficult to determine if someone is infected with HPV.

However, because the HPV virus resides in mucous membranes when genital warts appear, this is a sign of HPV infection.

Genital warts show many different shapes. They may be swollen, flat, pink or skin colored. There may be only 1 or more warts.

Genital warts can take weeks, even months to manifest after a victim has sex and they are not even aware that they have HPV.

The only way to make sure someone doesn't have HPV is to abstain from sex. But this is almost an "impossible task" for many people. However, your risk of getting HPV decreases if you avoid unprotected sex with multiple partners.

• How does the HPV virus quietly destroy women's health?
• United States: 92% of cancers can be prevented with HPV if vaccinated