Term+Paper+HPV

Human Papillomavirus Annie Thomas Dr. Ingrid Buxton BI 256 011 Spring Quarter 4/29/2012 Background “Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect cutaneous and mucosal epithelial tissues of the anogenital tract, the hands, or the feet.” There are more than one hundred different types of HPV. Forty of these types directly infect the genitals of both males and females. However, since HPV infects mucosal epithelial tissues it also can infect the mouth and throat as well. These types are then broken down into two categories: low and high risk. Some of the high risk types of HPV include plantar, common, flat, and genital warts. The most common of these is genital warts which are transmitted through sexual contact. In addition, it is most prevalent in the age range of 20-29 years old. A diagnosis cannot be made until year of persistent infection as well. Lastly, the types that cause genital warts are not the same ones that cause cervical cancer.

Common Conditions The four most common conditions are HPV 16,18,6, and 11. HPV types 16 and 18 can cause: Cervical cancer, high grade cervical abnormalities low grade cervical abnormalities, anal cancer, vulvar/Vaginal/Penile, head and neck cancers. In addition HPV types 6 and 11 can cause low grade cervical abnormalities and genital warts. Many of the low grade types can be treated however the high risk types more than likely will result in cervical cancer.

Epidemiology As shown by the adjacent map the most prevalent type around the world is type 16 HPV. Type 16 HPV is the most detrimental of all of the types because it causes cervical cancer. The estimated attributable rate for this specific type is 70%.

Pathogenesis HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact including genital-to-genital contact which is how the virus is spread through sexual intercourse. One third of HPV types infect the genital tract specifically, this then can cause hyperproliferative lesions otherwise known as genital warts” “HPVs that infect the genital tract are sexually transmitted. Through research it is estimated that about two-thirds of individuals who have sexual relations with an infected partner will themselves become infected. (5). Infection by high-risk HPVs is not limited to the genital tract, since approximately 20% of cancers of the oropharynx contain DNA from these HPV types (6)”

Diagnosis & Treatment HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact including genital-to-genital contact which is how the virus is spread through sexual intercourse. This can then lead to either low or high risk cases of HPV. Low risk type cases are easily treatable through three clinical visits in most cases. One third of HPV types specifically infect the genital tract” this then can cause hyperproliferative lesions otherwise known as genital warts. Infection by high-risk HPVs is not limited to the genital tract, since approximately 20% of cancers of the oropharynx contain DNA from these HPV types” (6). The test that is used to diagnosis a woman with HPV is through a PAP smear which can spot abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix (which is the main cause of HPV) before the cells become precancerous or cancerous. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In recent studies it has been suggested that women with high levels of lycopene in their blood were able to remove the HPV from their body (average: 8.5 months) quicker than those who had low levels (average: 11 months). Some tentative treatments given to patients who want to go the natural route are advised to eat foods high in lycopene.Foods that can be consumed with high levels of lycopene include: tomatoes and tomato products (ketchup, tomato paste, etc.),watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, and pink guava.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Vaccination <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Over time researchers have developed a vaccination for women called //Gardasil,// that prevents four types of HPV (6.11,16, and 18). This vaccination is a series of three shots that are given through a six month period .” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In girls and young women ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. In boys and young men ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 90% of genital warts cases” (8). <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Therefore, it is essential to not only vaccinate against HPV but also take the proper steps of precaution.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sources <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5. Singer, A., L. Ho, G. Terry, and T. S. Kwie. 1995. Association of human papillomavirus with cervical cancer and precancer, p. 105-129. In A. Mindel (ed.), Genital warts: human papillomavirus infection. Edward Arnold, London, United Kingdom. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6. Herrero, R., X. Castellsague, M. Pawlita, J. Lissowska, F. Kee, P. Balaram, T. Rajkumar, H. Sridhar, B. Rose, J. Pintos, L. Fernandez, A. Idris, M. J. Sanchez, A. Nieto, R. Talamini, A. Tavani, F. X. Bosch, U. Reidel, P. J. Snijders, C. J. Meijer, R. Viscidi, N. Munoz, and S. Franceschi. 2003. Human papillomavirus and oral cancer: the International Agency for Research on Cancer multicenter study. J. Natl. Cancer Inst.95:1772-1783. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">7. [] <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">8. []
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