Ø The
Human Papilomma Virus (HPV) also called the Wart Virus consists of over 100
types, each given a distinguishing number.
Ø It
is very common in the community and about 40 types are sexually transmitted. Of
these, only a handful are associated with or cause cancers of the cervix, vulva
and, as recently identified, mouth, tongue and throat.
Ø Four
important (high risk) HPV types cause 70% of cervical cancers and about 90% of
genital warts. Infection with the virus also results in the large number of
abnormal smears leading to colposcopy.
Ø It
is now possible to vaccinate young girls and boys against the four 'high risk'
types of the virus and thus prevent most of its effects, but this needs to be
done before contact with the virus occurs.
Ø
Vaccination of the older, sexually active child is on the assumption that they
are unlikely to be infected by all 4 'high risk' types at once and immunity to
any of the 4 types will reduce the lifetime chances of cancer or precancer.
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