Most people will be infected with HPV in life

Information was shared by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Anh, Director of the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the recent conference on infectious diseases in Hanoi.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a group of more than 200 virus strains. In particular, about 40 strains cause sexually transmitted diseases in the anus – genital area. This virus can be transmitted through vaginal, mouth, anus, or skin contact during sex.

The risk factor for HPV infection is the age, the number of partners, the immune system is inhibited. Viral infection can lead to cancer, mouth damage and upper respiratory tract, genital warts and anus.

According to Professor Anh, HPV infection is very common, but only a few cases turn into height lesions. In 90% of cases, the virus will be eliminated within two years without affecting health. Low -risk virus strains can cause warts on the wet surface or inner lining of some organs and body cavity. 10% of adults will have external genital warts throughout their lives. These strains rarely cause cancer and often go away without treatment.

And high -risk HPV strains cause 5% of the total number of cancer cases globally. Chronic infections with high -risk HPV strains can lead to cell changes that can become cancer if not treated. HPV can infect anyone regardless of gender, sexual trend. High -risk HPV strains are the most common sexually transmitted agents worldwide. The highest infection rate occurs in women aged 20-25.

It is estimated that high -risk HPV strains cause 75% of vaginal cancer cases, 70% of vulva cancer, 70% of throat cancer, penile cancer, 90% of anal cancer. In particular, they cause more than 95% of cervical cancer cases, strains 16 and 18, causing more than 70% of cases. Vietnam recorded about 4,600 new cases each year, more than 2,500 deaths from cervical cancer each year.

The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by high -risk viruses. Currently, vaccines are recommended for children 11 or 12 years old, can start for children from 9 years old. Additional injections can be given to women until 26 years old, men to 21 years old.

However, it is estimated that only 12% of Vietnamese women and girls from 15 to 29 years old get HPV vaccine, much lower than other countries in Southeast Asia. For example, in Singapore, the figure reaches 80% and this ratio in Mianma is even higher.

Medical associations around the world recommend that people from 25 to 65 years old test HPV every 5 years. Pap smear cells can be missed in some cases of cervical cancer, depending on the sampling, time reading time … Therefore, experts recommend that combining HPV DNA test to detect early preurges of cervical cancer and cancer.