HPV prevention and treatment

Human papilloma virus (HPV) Is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. There over 100 types of HPV that cause warts on hands, feet, mouth or throat. A high percentage of the world’s population can be exposed by the age of 50 years of age. Some HPV strains can be high-risk and can cause genital, anal and oropharyngeal cancers but the majority of genital HPV strains are harmless and considered as low risk HPV types. It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Unfortunately, no cure has been found though vaccines are available to prevent infection. The different types that are most well-known to the public as a causative agent of cervical cancer is genotype HPV 16 and 18 with up to 70% of cases globally [1].

The strategy of elimination according to WHO is:

Vaccination of 90% of girls by the age of 15
High performance of cervical screening of women at 35 and 45 years of age
Treatment of 90% of detected cases of cervical disease [2]

Common warts can be treated with medication and some often go away without treatment though genital warts surgical intervention may be necessary. Warts can vary in size and appearance therefore is best recommended that you consult a physician.

Prevention of HPV in sexual contact which is the primary transmission of the virus condoms should be used as they are effective in isolating the HPV infection both in men and women. Smoking cessation and male circumcision are also factors in reducing the incidence of an HPV infection.

Since the first HPV vaccine was licensed, there are now four safe, well tolerated and highly immunogenic vaccines prequalifies by the WHO and licensed around the world with more vaccines under clinical development [3]. The vaccines are highly effective and reduce high grade lesions in up to 97% of young women vaccinated at 12-13 years of age [4].

Screening is also of upmost importance. Pap-cytology or pap-test as a method of primary screening is gradually replaced by a more sensitive and more objective test called nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). The latest guidelines from WHO in screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions recommend the use of HPV DNA detection as a primary screening than cytology [5]. New methods and approaches such as self-sampling and remote counseling in COVID-19 context could be applied.

Treatment in detected cervical cancers and their precursors due to their complexity require expertise and trained healthcare personnel for treatment of invasive cancers.

Clinical trials are an important step in learning about better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases as well as understanding of how HPV causes cancer thus determine the most effective methods in detecting and developing new approaches to screening that may be easier to follow up abnormal screening test results [6].

With the knowledge and access to appropriate screening, management, HPV vaccines eventually we will be able to prevent and control HPV infection and transmission thus reducing the burden of HPV caused disease.

Request appointment

Learn more about us

Human Papilloma Virus

Human Papilloma Virus