Human Papillomavirus (HPV): The common STI that can lead to cancer in men and women

NAIJA NEWS

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections has been ranked as one of the most common viral agents of sexually transmitted infections worldwide.

According to Mayo Clinic, HPV infection is a viral infection that commonly causes skin or mucous membrane growths (warts).

Some types of HPV infection cause warts, and some can cause different types of cancer.

According to a publication by John Hopkins anyone who has ever had sex may be exposed to HPV.

The director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Cervical Dysplasia, Connie Trimble states that while more than 100 types of HPV exist, only about a dozen of them are associated with cervical disease.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that while condoms help prevent HPV, it does not offer total protection because they do not cover all the genital skin.

The organisation noted that while most HPV goes away on its own, Some HPV infections cause genital warts. Others can cause abnormal cells to develop, which go on to become…