HPV in a Woman

HPV in a woman is responsible for different diseases. Nowadays about a half of sexually active people are infected by HPV and its incidence continuously increases. HPV is known mainly as the virus that induces the development of warts on the hands, feet, face, genitalia and other organs. HPV can also cause cervical dysplasia, a disease characterized by the presence of unusual changes in the epithelial cells of the cervix. This disease is a precancerous condition as in some cases it degenerates into malignancy.

HPV infection is considered to be more dangerous for the woman’s health since it is linked with the development of cervical cancer. Cancer of the cervix is the second cause of deaths related to cancer among women and almost all women with this disease are positive for HPV. Today much attention is devoted to the screening of HPV in a woman because an early detection of this infection helps to identify women who are at the greatest risk of cervical cancer.

The risk of HPV-associated conditions can be reduced by preventing HPV infection. In order to prevent this infection people should care about their general health status, improve immune system and avoid high-risk sexual behavior. In addition, there are different diagnostic methods used for an early detection of HPV in a woman. It has been found that women who undergo medical examinations regularly are much less likely to develop severe HPV-related conditions.

In majority of cases HPV infection develops without clinical symptoms. HPV virus may remain in the body for some period of time without causing abnormalities. In these cases it is possible to detect the presence of HPV in a woman through HPV DNA testing. If the HPV infection is active and causes cellular abnormalities in the cervix, its presence may be revealed by the cytological examination of cells collected from the cervix. This test is widely known as Pap smear which is commonly used for early screening and prevention of cervical cancer.

Women with cervical HPV infection are likely to develop cervical dysplasia. Cervical dysplasia requires a close examination in order to determine the best management of the patient. Mild forms of cervical dysplasia frequently do not require special treatment since in most cases they regress on their own. However, HPV in a woman may be associated with sever dysplasia, and it is almost always the indication for the surgical removal of the affected tissues.