HPV Flashcards
What are viruses and how they use living cells to reproduce?
Viruses are non-living, infectious agents made up of proteins and nucleic acids. They are not made up of cells but require living cells to replicate and spread. To reproduce, the virus inserts its DNA into the host cell where the host cell reads the viral genes, manufactures the virus DNA, assembles the virus, and allows for the virus-cell to stimulate the rupture of its own cell to release viral particles.
What body areas does HPV transmit?
The surface of the genitals, mouth, and throat.
How is HPV transmitted?
Through skin-to-skin contact with
infected areas, even if there are no
visible signs of an infection, during the
following activities: genital, anal, oral, manual, and dry humping without underwear. It can stay in your body for 10-15 yrs with no symptoms.
What is HPV not spread through?
The bloodstream
What is the examples of low-risk HPV and its major symptoms?
HPV strains 6 and 11 are examples of low-risk strains (cause no disease). Symptoms include genital warts, oropharyngeal warts, low-grade cervical disease (women only), and laryngeal papillomas.
What are the examples of high-risk HPV and its major symptoms?
HPV strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58 are examples of high-risk strains which cause several types of cancer. Symptoms include low-grade cervical disease (women only), cervical cancer (women only)—> 91%, anogenital (anal) cancer —> 91%, oropharyngeal (mouth-throat) cancer —> 72%, and genital cancers.
How does HPV increase cancer risk?
HPV can cause lysis of host cells and can remain inside the host cell and inactivate tumor suppressor genes which cause cancer.
What is a Pap test or HPV test and what is it used to detect?
Pap test looks for abnormal cervical cells and HPV test looks for DNA high-risk HPV strains in cervical cells (looks for viral DNA).
What is a colposcopy and what is it used to detect?
A special microscope that looks to find out whether there are abnormal cells on or in a woman’s cervix or vagina
Why are some reasons why some women don’t go to their obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) to get a Pap smear or Pap test?
They don’t know they are supposed too, they have fear of judgment, have body image issues, or have no insurance.
