Genital human papillomavirus, known as HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States according to the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Everybody who’s sexually active will in their lives come across HPV,” said Danielle Baker, a physician’s assistant at the office of Dr. Chaskey, and Planned Parenthood’s Plattsburgh location.

There are about 40 types of HPV. Most HPV infections do not have visible symptoms, and go away on their own. However, it can cause cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control. HPV is also associated with several, less common types of cancer in men and women, as well as genital warts and warts in the upper respiratory tract. “HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact,” Baker said. She stated that it is not generally transmitted orally. “Most women who get it never know it.”

The non-visible forms of HPV can be detected in a pap smear. Men are not generally tested for HPV; however, they can transmit the virus. “It’s not an easy test to do. It’s not cost affective in a clinical setting,” Baker said. HPV can cause some forms of anal cancer, but it is not as common as cervical cancer. The bulk of women who contract the virus are between the ages of 19 and 26 years old, said Sylvia King, registered nurse and director of patient services for Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood.

Although any sexually transmitted infection may cause fear, HPV is not as much of a cause for concern. “Most women who contact any type of HPV will clear the virus,” Baker said. She stated that women can typically clear the virus in one to two years. In healthy women, once the virus is cleared, that type cannot be contracted again. Most women never know they have it, since most types have non-visible symptoms.

HPV can appear on a pap smear as a change in cervical cells. Once the abnormal cells are found, further tests are done to check what type of the virus is causing the change; the patient may be asked to have another pap smear. “It’s a slow-moving process,” Baker said. “You don’t get cervical cancer over night.”

Depending on whether the cells are at a low or high risk of becoming cancerous, the patient may need a colposcopy.

A colposcopy is when magnification is used, in this case, to examine the cervix for abnormal cells. A biopsy of the cells may also be done. This is when the doctor removes a small sample of the tissue for further testing. If the cell changes occur deeper than the surface layer, then they must be removed. The removal of the surface layer of cells is called a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). The LEEP procedure generally works, but not always, said Baker. These procedures are all six months to a year apart. As Baker said, it is a slow moving process because cells do not change rapidly. Most women do not develop cancer; however, it is important not to ignore an abnormal pap smear. “We have good screening,” Baker said, adding that because of this cervical cancer is not common in the United States.

Vaccines are available for some types of HPV. Two common vaccines are Gardasil and Cervix.

Both are given in three injections over a period of six months. Gardasil protects against types 6, 11, 16, and 18, the four most severe types which cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Cervix prevents 16 and 18, the types that cause cervical cancer. Vaccination is recommended for girls from the ages of 9 to 26 years old, King said. The idea is to have girls vaccinated prior to their first sexual contact. “Put it in a line as any vaccine. It’s just like getting your mumps, measles, and rubella,” King said. “The HPV vaccine is just as important.” Parental consent is needed for girls under the age of 18. Girls under 18 are able to receive the vaccine for free. Women are able to receive the vaccine up to the age of 26, and may find financial assistance with organizations such as Planned Parenthood. Women who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast should not get the vaccine. As in any vaccine, side affects may occur, however they are not common, according to King.

“I saw the commercial for it on TV,” said Rebecca Robbins, 17, of Plattsburgh. Robbins received all three doses of the vaccine. A senior at Plattsburgh Senior High School, Robbins has learned about sexually transmitted infections in her health classes. “It was really scary,” she said. “Once I was educated about it, I was like ‘Wow, it’s a good idea.’” She continued saying that she urged her friends to also get the vaccine. She recalled hearing about HPV briefly in health class, but relied on her mom to explain it for her. “My mom was really influential,” Robbins said. Her mother, who works for Planned Parenthood, helped her decide to get the vaccine. An HPV vaccination for men has been made, but has yet to be approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, King said.

Safe sex practices, such as condoms, can prevent HPV although they do not provide 100 percent protection. “Use your condoms,” King stressed. HPV is common, but it should not be disregarded. Regular pap smears are recommended, and abnormal pap smears should not be ignored. Cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection.

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