Hpv virus - what is it?

Human papillomavirus, hpv, is the world's most common sexually transmitted virus and is available in over 100 variants. Some of them can give warts on the hands and feet, others give warts in the genital area and then it is called a condyloma.

The warts usually heal from themselves. Otherwise, they can be removed using creams or frozen or cut away.

Most variants of hpv are harmless - but at least 14 virus types can cause cell changes that can then lead to cancer.

Each year, for example, more than 50,000 Swedish women are affected by cell changes in the genital area. 15,000 have such serious changes that they need treatment, 550 women suffer from cervical cancer and 150 do not survive the disease.

The virus can also cause other less common cancers in both men and women. For example, it can be cancer of the mouth, throat, vagina, penis and rectum.

The HPV virus is highly contagious and spreads through contact between skin and mucous membranes - for example, during sex. You do not need visible warts to infect anyone with hpv.

Most HPV types are thus harmless, but some viruses can affect how the body's cells grow and divide. In the worst case, the cells start to grow uncontrollably and can then form tumors, ie cancer.

However, it is important to remember that cell changes are not cancer in themselves, but precursors that can be treated and thereby prevent the development of cancer.

Unfortunately, using a condom is not enough because the virus can still spread through skin and mucous membranes. But a condom is still better than no protection at all.

Doctors and researchers agree that the best way to avoid the most dangerous types of hpv is to vaccinate.

As of 2012, Swedish girls between the ages of 10 and 12 are vaccinated against the two most dangerous types of hpv, which together cause about 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer.

One of the vaccines also protects against condyloma.

The vaccine is most effective if you take it before you have had sex for the first time, but even those who have already had sex reduce the risk of being affected by dangerous cell changes if they are vaccinated.

As the vaccine does not protect against all types of hpv that can cause cancer, it is important to go for regular sampling, where any cell changes can be detected.

Today, all Swedish women between the ages of 23-60 every three years are called so-called gynecological cell sampling.

GRAPHIC: So many people take the vaccine in your municipality