General Information About HPV
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a family of viruses with over 200 types that settle in human skin and mucous membranes, causing warts (condyloma) or disrupting the DNA structure of cells leading to cancerization.
The virus is not transmitted through bodily fluids but by the friction (contact) of infected skin or mucous membranes against each other. Vaginal, anal, and oral sexual intercourse are the most fundamental routes of transmission.
HPV Types 6 and 11 usually only cause genital warts and are benign. However, high-risk types, especially Type 16 and Type 18, are the direct cause of more than 70% of cervical and penile cancers.
Yes. Although men are mostly asymptomatic carriers, they are directly affected by high-risk HPV types in terms of genital warts, penile cancer, anal cancer, and mouth/throat cancers.
In women, a Pap Smear test and HPV DNA (typing) test are performed using a fluid sample collected with a brush from the cervix. In men, if there is a suspicious wart, diagnosis is made via biopsy; there is no routine screening test.
There is no drug that will clear the virus from the body, but the immune system can clear the virus on its own over the years (clearance). The most important prevention method is the protective HPV vaccine (Gardasil, etc.) administered to boys and girls between the ages of 9-14, as well as adults at risk.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
