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High Risk of Human Papillomavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection. It is also the most common cause of cervical cancer. Most people who become infected with HPV aren't aware they have it. There are certain factors that can put you at a high risk of contracting HPV.

  1. Prevalence of HPV

    • According to the CDC an estimated 20 million people in the U.S. are infected with HPV and more than 6 million people become infected annually. About half of the people who are sexually active will get HPV at some time during their lifetimes. In most cases a healthy immune system is able to fight off the virus.

      HPV rarely has any symptoms although certain types of HPV can cause genital warts in both sexes. The varieties of HPV that can trigger genital warts are different from the types that can cause cancer.

    HPV and Cervical Cancer

    • The American Cancer Society says more than 11, 000 women were expected to be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008.

      The Mayo Clinic says a woman's immune system is usually able to fight off HPV. But in a few cases the virus lives on for years. Over time, it can convert normal cells on the outside of the cervix into cancerous cells.

    Sexual History

    • There are several factors that place you at a higher risk of contracting HPV. The larger the number of sexual partners you have had, the greater the chance you will become infected with HPV. Your risk escalates even higher when you've had sexual contact with someone who has had numerous sex partners.

    Age

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, some research seems to indicate that sexually active women under age 25 are biologically more susceptible to HPV. HPV infections are frequently detected during a Pap test. Teenage boys and young men also are at higher risk, but the virus often goes undetected.

      The increased risk among young people may be associated with increased sexual activity at this age.

    Weak Immune Systems

    • People who have compromised immune systems may be more prone to contracting HPV infections. This susceptibility may be caused by HIV/AIDS or immune-system-suppressing drugs that are given to organ transplant recipients.

    Treating HPV

    • Although there is no treatment for HPV, there are remedies for the genital warts and cervical cancer that can result from the infection.

      Visible genital warts can be removed by a health care provider or a medication applied by the patient.

      When detected in its early stages, cervical cancer is highly treatable.

    Preventing HPV

    • A foolproof method of eliminating the risk for genital HPV infection is to abstain from any genital contact with another person. For individuals who desire to be sexually active, a long-term, monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner offers the best chance of avoiding genital HPV infection.

      It's uncertain how well condoms protect against HPV since areas not covered by a condom can be infected by the virus.

      The CDC says a vaccine is now available to guard young females against the four types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts.

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