Is there a vaccine against the virus?
 
Today there are two vaccines, one meant for girls and young women and the other is meant for older women. Both vaccines provide protection from 4 species of the virus. It is important to perform a test to check if the virus exists before the vaccine.
 
 
 
Can men also be infected?
 
Yes, men can be infected and infect others.
 
 
What is a HPV test?

An HPV test is a simple test performed by collecting cells from the cervical smear. This test is performed by the gynecologist. The collected cells are sent to a laboratory and by amplification of the DNA, the existence of the 24 dangerous species is checked. The test is very exact and shows which of the species exists in the women’s body. Then the doctor decides upon the method of treatment which can range from regular observations to removal of the infected cells. A timely test can prevent the development of cancer. The development of a cervical cancer can take from one to four years. The development is relatively slow and enables a timely discovery of the cancerous cells and their treatment. Due to the fact that the symptoms appear at a late stage of the development of the cancer, the regular test is very important.
 
 
 
What is HPV?
 
HPV is the Human Papilloma Virus. This virus is part of the Papova virus group. Viruses from this group can cause various damages in the body to which one of them penetrates, from warts to cancer. It develops in the epithelium cells of the skin and of the mucosa (respiratory air ways and sexual tubes). The HPV has more then a 100 different appearances, which vary in effect from causing warts to causing cancer. About 30 species out of them can damage the female sexual system and 18 of them can cause cancer. Almost 100% of the cases of cervical cancer had HPV.
 
 
 
What are my chances of catching this virus?
 
More then 70% of the sexually active women catch various species of the virus at some point in their lives. Most of them only suffer from warts.
 
 
Which species are dangerous?

The species related to warts are 6 and 11. the species related to cancer are 45, 33, 31, 18, 16 and 59
 
 
 
In which parts of the world was the virus detected?
HPV is widespread in many countries.
 
 
 
Once I’m infected, is there a cure?

No. like many viruses, the recovery is made by the body’s immunity system. In most cases, the body has the ability to fight the virus on its own. if the existence of the virus is detected, the infected cells can be removed.
 
 
How does the infection occur?

There are three ways to catch the virus:
 
 
1.     Wounded skin coming in contact with the virus.
 
 
2.     Having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected individual.
 
 
3.     A fetus can be infected if his mother is infected.
 
 
 
What does the HPV virus cause?
 
Warts on the skin.
 
 
Benign and malignant tumors in the head and neck.
 
 
Warts in the sex and urine tubes.
 
 
Changes in the cells of the female sexual tubes which can result in cancerous tumors in the vagina, vulva, rectum and cervical smear.
 
 
Does using a condom and other contraceptive methods prevent infection?

The virus is transmitted through touch, thus using a condom provides only partial protection. Women using pills tend not to use a condom and their chances of being infected are higher!
 
 
 
What is advisable in order to be protected against HPV?

In recent years, vaccines have been developed which are meant to prevent infection. The vaccines are meant mostly for young women. The vaccines are only meant to protect from the most dangerous species but they do not completely prevent the infection! It is important for you to consult your gynecologist regarding taking the vaccine. Regular observation tests can discover the virus at an early stage and prevent the development of disease.