About this episode
Episode 182: HPV VaxFuture Dr. Zuaiter and Dr. Arreaza briefly discuss HPV infection but pocus on the prevention of the infection with the vaccine. Dr. Arreaza mentions that HPV vaccine is also recommended by ASCCP to medical professionals. Written by Amanda Zuaiter, MS4, Ross University School of Medicine. Edits and comments by Hector Arreaza, MD.You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer affecting women globally. Annually, there are over 600,00 new cases and more than 300,000 deaths. The leading cause of cervical cancer is HPV. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a prevalent virus that is spread through close skin-to-skin contact, mainly by sexual intercourse. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. The term STI and STD are used indistinctively, but some people make a difference, such as Dr. Cornelius Reitmeijer. STI refers to sexually transmitted infection, which can be asymptomatic, and STD stands for sexually transmitted disease, which are the signs and symptoms caused by the multiplication of the infectious agent and disruption of bodily functions. STI is the preferred term, as recommended by experts during the last few years. Low risk vs High risk HPV.There are over 200 strains of HPV which fall into two categories: low risk and high risk. The low-risk types, HPV 6 and 11, cause warts around the genitals, anus, mouth or throat. The high-risk types, HPV 16 and 18, are linked to cervical, vaginal, anal, and other cancers. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is the primary cause of cervical cancer, accounting for 70% of cervical cancer cases. While often asymptomatic, persistent HPV infections can develop into papular lesions which can cause bleeding and pain or cause sore throat and hoarseness if warts develop in the throat.Not all warts will turn into cancer, but the risk of a wart turning into cancer is higher than normal skin or mucosa that has not been infected by HPV.Even though cervical cancer is the most well-known condition linked to HPV, it’s important to note that HPV isn’t just a women’s health issue. It can also cause cancers in men, such as throat, penile and anal cancers. Men, however, are not screened for HPV if they have no signs or symptoms of infection.HPV Prevention: General measures that can be taken are
