Hpv: A Handbook to Infections with Human Papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus infection is an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Most HPV infections cause little to no symptoms and resolve spontaneously. An HPV infection may persist and result in warts or precancerous lesions, which can later cause cancer of the cervix, penis, vulva, vagina, anus, mouth or throat. Some of the risk factors associated with persistent HPV infections are sexual intercourse with multiple partners, poor immune function, early age of first sexual intercourse and smoking. HPV vaccines are effective in the prevention of most common infections. HPV infections can be prevented through sexual abstinence and use of condoms. The immune system clears HPV naturally within a period of two years for the majority of the cases, but it is debated whether the virus gets completely eliminated from the body or reduced to undetectable levels. This book provides comprehensive insights into human papillomavirus. It aims to shed light on the clinical aspects of human papillomavirus infections and the recent researches in this domain. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.