Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 80% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives, with the peak incidence occurring in the first decade after the onset of sexual intercourse, usually between the ages of 15 and 25. Despite this high prevalence, 90% of HPV infections are symptom-free and tend to resolve spontaneously within two years of infection. However, about 10% of these infections can become chronic, increasing the risk of developing genital warts or uterine cancer.
HPV, which belongs to the Papillomaviridae family, consists of more than 200 different strains identified to date. These strains are divided into two types according to how they are affected: cutaneous HPVs, which mainly affect the skin, especially the hands and feet, and mucosal HPVs, which affect the genital, anal and oral mucous membranes. Currently, more than 40 types are known to affect the genital tract, mainly transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral sex, and can be classified as low or high risk according to their likelihood of causing cancer. Among the high-risk types, HPV16 and HPV18 are the most prevalent and are associated with cancer, while HPV6 and HPV11 are considered low-risk and are associated with genital warts and condylomas. It is important to note that transmission can occur even in the absence of visible signs of genital warts or symptoms, and that while most infections are symptom-free and go away on their own, some strains can cause genital warts or cervical changes that, if left untreated, can lead to cancer.
Early detection of these changes is crucial to prevent serious complications, as 99% of cervical cancer cases are associated with chronic high-risk HPV infections, as well as other associated cancers: vulvar (46%), vaginal (70%), anal (88%), penile (50%) and oropharyngeal (26-50%).
Vaccination is presented as a fundamental measure to prevent HPV infection. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccination against the most prevalent high-risk strains of HPV in girls and boys from the age of 9 years as a preventive measure.
In addition, the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics has established specific recommendations for the prevention and detection of cervical cancer, including Pap smear tests from the age of 25 and HPV testing at regular intervals depending on the age of the individual.
HPV detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) involves taking a sample (vaginal, anal or from tissue with lesions such as warts) followed by analysis to determine the presence and type of virus, which allows identification of low-risk or high-risk strains and the establishment of monitoring and treatment guidelines for patients, thus preventing the development of cancer.
In conclusion, screening and monitoring for HPV infections is a fundamental tool for the prevention of cervical and associated cancers, complemented by vaccination.
