Infections of Human Beings: Human Papillomavirus - Essay Example

The first step that the Ministry of Health should take in addressing the issue of Human papillomavirus is to understand the virus as well as how it affects human beings. As a Minister of Health, it is inevitable to have a clear understanding of this virus. Human papillomavirus is a virus from the papillomavirus family.

It is sexually transmitted and is the most common STI. The virus is available in over 40 HPV types. The virus infects the genitals of both females and males. It causes several cancers which include cervical cancer, penis cancer, vagina cancer, and vulva cancer among others. This virus causes cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer in the world. Therefore, your Ministry must look into this issue and give it the weight that it deserves. Many people do not know about the virus despite is common.

The reason why many people do not know much about it is the fact that they may not notice it when infected. About half of all men have been infected by the virus at a given time in their life while 3 out of 4 women have had the infection. The HPVs that cause cancer are referred to as the high-risk HPV. The next fact that your Ministry needs to be aware of is the manner with which the virus affects and how it spreads. First, it is necessary to note that about 5% of all cancers in the world are caused by high-risk HPV. In addition, almost all cervical cancers are caused by this virus. The types HPV 16 and HPV 18 are responsible for cervical cancer in women. Genital contact is the main method through which the virus is passed on from one person to another. The types HPV 16 and HPV 18 are responsible for cervical cancer in women. Genital contact is the main method through which the virus is passed on from one person to another. It is necessary to note that the virus is passed on even between partners of the same sex if their genitals get into contact.

When HPV gets into a woman’s body, certain strains of the virus cause some alteration of the cervix cell leading to a condition referred to as cervical dysplasia. This condition can be treated. However, if not treated, it progresses to cause cervical cancer.