Papillomavirus: Gynaecologist Warns Against Complications

A gynaecologist at Calvary Estate Hospital, Benin, Dr Peter Obane, says Human Papillomavirus or (HPV) in women may lead to other complications if not treated.
Obane said this in an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Benin.
He defined papillomavirus HPV, as “an infection that causes warts in various parts of the body, depending on the strain’’.
Obane said that HPV could cause cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and other cancers in women as well as genital warts.
He said a vaccine called Gardasil 9 had been developed and shown to protect against cervical cancer and against genital warts.
“Most HPV infections do not lead to cancer, but some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina (cervix).
“Other types of cancers, including cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva and back of the throat (oropharyngeal), have been linked to HPV infection,”he said.
The gynecologist said that the vaccine could help protect against the strains of genital HPV most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer.
He said that the symptoms of HPV include, common warts on hand, plantar warts, flat wart, female genital warts, male genital warts
“And in most cases, your body’s immune system defeats an HPV infection before it appears.’’
The gynecologist said HPV infection could occur when the virus entered a person’s body, usually through a cut, abrasion or small tear in your skin.
He said that the virus was usually transferred primarily by skin-to-skin contact.