Everything you need to know about HPV

The virus is often considered a taboo subject, says CAMILLA FOSTER, who asks an expert

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ALTHOUGH most of us will be exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in our lives, it remains widely misunderstood.

Receiving a positive HPV result can be worrying and confusing, yet the link between the virus and cervical cancer is more nuanced than many people realise.

Here Miss Adeola Olaitan, consultant gynaecological oncologist at The Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, explains what HPV is, how it relates to cervical cancer and addresses common myths around it.

What is HPV?

“HPV is a family of viruses that infect the skin and the mucosal tissue,” explains Adeola. “There are different subtypes of HPV which are denoted by numbers.”

You can get HPV from any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, vaginal, anal or oral sex or through sharing sex toys, according to the NHS.

Most of the time HPV does not cause any problems, Adeola says, adding: “In most cases, HPV is a transient, harmless condition, and most people clear it without even knowing that they had it. It will usually clear naturally within two years.”

What is the biggest misconception about HPV?