2024-03-10 01:10:28
Updated Sunday, March 10, 2024 – 02:10
The human papillomavirus or HPV is one of those that generates as many questions as there is misinformation around it. A virus that worries and that many people tend to associate with cancer, infidelities, infections… sometimes rightly and sometimes wrongly, but the reality is that almost 80% of sexually active women will have contracted it at least once before turning 50. A virus that should also worry men, although too many times they think that this is something that does not suit them.
How many papillomaviruses are there?
There is actually only one human papillomavirus, which is there are many strains of the same virus that are named after numbers: 6, 18, 33, 58… The same thing happens as with the Covid-19It’s about a only virus with many variants.
Depending on which strain of HPV we have been infected with, the injuries They can range from condylomas or genital warts (benign lesions) to premalignant lesions or even cervical cancer.
How can I know if I have been infected?
Through cytology. But unlike what we did with Covid19, which was to look for remains of the virus, with this cytologist what you are looking for These are the lesions that the virus is causing. and not the virus itself. Don’t wait until you have symptoms to get checked, as most people with HPV don’t notice anything.
Are there HPV tests for men?
No, there is currently no test to detect high-risk strains of human papilloma in the male genitalia. Only adequate protection is possible for them.
If I get HPV, how long does it take to test positive?
It may never even be positive. Almost 80% of women become infected with the virus at some point in their lives, but less than half develop it and test positive. Sometimes the immune system itself eliminates it and in others it stays there but never wakes up and starts causing injuries.
Is there any way to avoid contagion?
Currently there are two ways to avoid contracting HPV in both men and women: sexual abstinence and the vaccine.
The abstinence needs little explanation. The vaccine It started protecting against two strains of the virus, but it has been improving and the one we currently have prevents the spread of up to nine forms of the virus. Vaccination prevents 82% of precancerous lesions and 89% of cervical cancers.
Can a person who has never had sexual relations have the virus?
No. Human papillomavirus It is only spread through sexual relationsIf you have never had them you cannot have the virus. It should be noted that by sexual relations we are not only talking about penetration, the contact between genitals itself may be enough for contagion to occur.
Does a condom protect me against HPV?
Until a certain point. And the virus is not only present in the final end of the penis or in the cervix, It is all over the genitals and the male condom only covers the penis.. Different studies estimate that the protection offered by condoms against HPV ranges between 30% and 60%.
Can a woman who only has sexual relations with women also be infected?
Of course yes, you can also get the papillomavirus. The contact between genitals itselfmale with female, male with male or female with female, is enough for contagion to occur if one of the two people is infected.
Does testing positive for HPV mean infidelity?
It is a very common question when a cytology has been positive, one tends to think that one of the members of the couple has been unfaithful, but this does not have to be that way. The HPV that has now awakened and has shown its face may have been dormant for many years, long before the relationship began, and at this moment simply due to a lowering of defenses it has been activated. HPV is not synonymous with infidelity.
Does having had the virus immunize you?
No. When we talked about Covid we said that having had it created an immunity that could protect you in case of reinfection, but with HPV it is different.
You can test positive now and not later because your body has eliminated it, but you can also test positive for a different strain. You can even get infected again with the same strain if you are not vaccinated against it.
At what age should you get the vaccine?
Most childhood vaccination schedules include it at 12 years of age, but although initially it was indicated only for girls, the Spanish Pediatric Association currently recommends it for both girls and boys.
Can adults get vaccinated?
The vaccine is much more effective at 12 years old than at 40 because you have not been in contact with the virus, which is why it is given at that age, but It is also recommended for adults regardless their age or the number of sexual partners they have.
If when an adult is vaccinated they have a strain of the virus in their body, it will not eliminate it nor will it protect us against it, but it will against the rest of the VP strains.
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