What Are The Four Types Of Hpv

Human Papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted disease that can be fatal for women. There are four main types to check for: 6 and 11 (which are responsible for 90 percent of cases of genital warts) and 16 and 18 (which are responsible for 70 percent of cases of cervical cancer).

Types 16 and 18

HPV types 16 and 18 are known as "high-risk" types because they can cause cervical cancer. These two types are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. "In 2007, it was estimated that 11,000 women in the United States would be diagnosed with this type of cancer and nearly 4,000 would die from it," states the National Cancer Institute. There are about 15 strains of HPV that cause cancer, but 16 and 18 are by far the most prevalent.

Types 6 and 11

HPV types 6 and 11 are known as "low-risk" types because they do not cause cancer. However, they are responsible for 90 percent of the cases of genital warts. While not fatal, genital warts appear around the genitals and anus several weeks to several years after sexual contact with a person infected with HPV. Sometimes, warts may never appear. It is still important to get tested, however, to protect spreading HPV to loved ones.

Hundreds More

There are hundreds of other types of Human Papillomavirus. HPV gets its name from the fact that it causes papillomas (warts) to appear. They can occur anywhere on the body. It is important to know, however, that the type that causes warts on hands is different from the type that causes warts on the throat, which is different than those causing cancer.

Detection

An annual Pap test can determine whether a woman is infected with HPV. Any abnormal cells resulting from the test would lead to further testing, such as a biopsy. It is important for women to continue to see their gynecologists once a year to detect any type HPV, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases.

Prevention

The most recent method of prevention against HPV is the Gardasil vaccine. It is designed to prevent the occurrence of HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 (the four most responsible for cause cervical cancer and genital warts). The vaccine is meant for girls from the ages of 9 to 26.

Tags: cervical cancer, genital warts, responsible percent, percent cases, responsible percent cases, that causes