HPV Infection
What Is It? Why Is It Important?

What Is HPV (Human Papillomavirus)?

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a highly contagious virus that can cause warts in the genital area and, with some types, cervical cancer. The infection often causes no symptoms and can run a silent course. The condition is recurrent and can become active again during periods when immunity is weakened.

In individuals with a strong immune system, a significant proportion of infections regress on their own. However, infections that cannot be cleared from the body can lead to precancerous lesions and, in the long term, to cancer.

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Why Is HPV Infection Important?

HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Epidemiological studies show that a woman's likelihood of encountering HPV during her lifetime is about 75%.

Because the virus is easily transmitted, a marked increase in the frequency of infection has been observed in recent years. Genital warts are among the most common sexually transmitted diseases.

My Smear Is Normal — Could I Still Be Carrying HPV?

Yes. Even if your smear test is normal, you may be carrying HPV. Especially under the age of 35, even when the smear is normal, the likelihood of being infected with HPV is around 25%.

If a cellular abnormality is detected on the smear test, the likelihood of carrying HPV is higher, and in some studies this rate rises to over 50%.

The smear test shows cellular changes; to detect the virus itself, the HPV DNA test (PCR method) is needed.

How Do I Know If I Have an HPV Infection?

The majority of HPV infections run an asymptomatic course. When they do cause symptoms, they usually appear as a wart in the genital area.

The virus can settle on the cervix without forming a wart and can remain silent for a long time. For this reason, regular smear and HPV testing is of great importance for early diagnosis.

HPV Types and Their Frequency

There are more than 300 types of HPV. One of the most common types is HPV Type 16, whose prevalence in some studies is about over 30%. HPV Type 6 is seen at a rate of about 17%.

The frequency of HPV Type 11 is about 9%, and that of HPV Type 18 is about 6%. While Types 6 and 11 usually cause genital warts, Types 16 and 18 carry a higher risk of cervical cancer.

The HPV DNA test can determine both the presence of the virus and which type is carried. This information is important in planning follow-up and the clinical approach.

HPV infection often progresses silently. The absence of symptoms does not mean there is no risk. Regular check-ups are the strongest way to ensure early diagnosis.