By Emmanuel Adebiyi
Do you know that more than 90% of sexually active men and 80% of sexually active women will contract humanpapilloma virus (HPV) unless they receive a VACCINATION?
HPV is Human Papillomavirus and is usually recognized every March 4th. It is the commonest STI yet very few people know about it. In fact, do not be surprised if the average student of the University Of Ibadan has no idea of what HPV is. Let’s take a moment of learning and unlearning as we walk through what HPV is, symptoms, effects, treatment, myth and facts. In Nigeria, more than 1.5 million cases are detected per year, making it very common.
HPV is a viral infection that is passed between people through skin to skin sexual contact by oral, vaginal or anal.
SYMPTOMS: HPV does not have early noticeable symptoms; you can still contact it even if your partner doesn't show any symptoms
EFFECTS
1. It is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women and rectal cancer in men
2. It causes genital warts and warts in the throat
DIAGNOSES: Symptoms of HPV can be diagnosed in only in women through pap test. However, it is safer to obtain an early vaccination before it is acquired.
TREATMENT: HPV is not curable, but its symptoms are treatable when diagnosed early.
VACCINATION: This is the only and safer means to prevent HPV before it's acquired. A single dose of the vaccine is known to be highly effective against HPV 16 and 18 known to cause 70% of cervical cancers.
Eligibility: From age 9 - 45 in women and 9- 26 in men can get the vaccine.
MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT HPV
1. Myth: It can be cured through herbal treatment
Fact: It is incurable, can only be prevented through vaccination
2. Myth: You can't receive the vaccine if you've already been infected.
Fact: If you already have HPV, the vaccine can help protect you against other strains you haven't gotten as well as manage symptoms like warts
3. Myth: HPV vaccines only protect girls
Fact: The vaccine can protect both male and female.
4. Myth: HPV vaccine causes infertility
Fact: No available medical research have concluded that HPV causes infertility
YOU CAN ONLY BE ASSURED OF SAFETY FROM HPV BY GETTING YOUR VACCINATION NOW!!
