Context:
March 4 is observed as International HPV Awareness Day every year.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- HPV is a family of over 200 viruses, with 40 transmitted through direct sexual contact.
- Two types cause genital warts, while about a dozen can lead to various cancers, with over 95% of cervical cancers attributed to HPV.
- It is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally and spreads through skin-to-skin contact.
- Most infections are asymptomatic, and the body often clears the virus, but persistent infections can lead to cancer.
- HPV vaccination is crucial for cancer prevention in both men and women.
- HPV Vaccine Overview:
- Administered through a series of shots, the vaccine guards against HPV infections causing cancer or genital warts.
- Most effective when given between ages 9-26; its efficacy decreases after HPV exposure.
- Ineffective during pregnancy; the vaccine isn’t administered at that time.
- Key focus on preventing HPV before exposure, as the vaccine may not be as effective post-infection.
-Source: The Hindu
