Human Papillomavirus is commonly known as HPV and is one of the most common sexually transmitted chronic infections in the world. It was several years ago that HPV made its debut bringing the campaign for public awareness into full swing. Researchers estimate that yearly there are over 6 million people in the world that are infected by this virus. That number is three times higher than people who suffer from influenza virus yearly.

HPV is a double stranded DNA virus similar to herpes, smallpox, or Hodgkin’s disease. This means that HPV is a virus whose genome consists of deoxyribonucleic acid. Currently there are about 20 million of people in the U.S. that are already infected, which gives us a ratio of 1 out of every 6. All sexually active women are at risk for cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women worldwide; and one of the most dominating ways to contract cervical cancer is through HPV. In fact, HPV Types 16 and 18 are the cause for at least seventy percent of cervical cancer cases (Merck & Co. Inc., 2007). The disease is passed on through skin-to-skin contact. For this reason, condom use is highly recommended, although may not be as effective as the virus only takes skin-to-skin contact and not necessarily intercourse. Treatment for the virus is currently unavailable.

Yearly over 9,700 of new cases of cervical cancer will be reported, and of these reports, 3,700 women will die. For years the medical community was unable to provide detailed information about the infection itself. But in recent years, explanations and research have been abundant.

According to the Canadian Medical Association the infection has been well known for years, but only since 1993 has the medical community come to grips with the severity of the virus. From 1966 to 1993 the infection went through a series of different names; it wasn’t until the early 1990’s that “HPV” was commonly adopted. Scientists began connecting the dots and figured out that the infection is a main cause of cervical cancer. Since research of the virus has escalated scientists estimate that at least 89 percent of female patients have never discussed the virus with their health care provider.

Human Papillomavirus and Its link to Cervical Cancer

As unknown as HPV is to the general population of Americans, it is one of the most discreet and communicable diseases. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the HPV that infects the genital area is contracted through genital contact. Without symptoms of the disease, it is difficult to ascertain whether a prospective sexual partner carries the virus or not. Transmission is highly susceptible and occurs due to lack of knowledge and choice. The signs for the carrier are almost non-existent. Some carriers develop genital warts or what is known as pre-cancerous changes in the cervix, vulva, anus or penis. Rarely HPV can become anal or genital cancers.

The symptoms of the most common variant, genital warts, is visual. According to the CDC, “Genital warts usually appear as soft, moist, pink or flesh-colored swellings, usually in the genital area. They can be raised, flat, single or multiple small or large and sometimes cauliflower shaped” (Center for Disease Control Fact Sheet, 2004). HPV is considered the number one cause of genital warts. HPV Types 6 and 11 cause the minimum of ninety percent of genital warts cases (Merck & Co. Inc., 2007).

People with the largest risk of contracting HPV are sexually active females between the ages of 20 to 24. Shamefully, the next highest group at risk is sexually active females between the ages of 14 to 19. Seventy-four percent of HPV cases were women between the ages of 15 to 24 in 2005 (Merck & Co. Inc., 2007). The numbers are even higher for young women in minority communities. In contrast to this fact, only about one percent of sexually active men in the United States have genital warts at any one time (CDC Fact Sheet, 2007). This makes one wonder what type of public information should be made available and by what mode of delivery?

It should be noted that the highest rate of success in prevention for contracting cervical cancer is through regular screenings.