Fact: HPV can affect both men and women, but in men, the infection often goes unnoticed because it presents no visible symptoms.
Myth: You can contract HPV by sharing objects, using public restrooms, swimming pools, or hot tubs.
Fact: HPV is transmitted exclusively through skin-to-skin and mucous membrane contact during sexual activity, whether vaginal, anal, or oral. It is not transmitted through sharing objects or poor hygiene.
Myth: If there are no symptoms, there is no infection.
Fact: Most people with HPV do not experience any visible symptoms, making it easy for them to transmit the virus unknowingly.
HPV and its link to cancer:
HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer. It is estimated that 99% of cervical cancer cases are linked to this virus. In Latin America, the most common genotypes in cervical lesions are HPV 16 (53.2% of cases) and HPV 18 (13.2%).
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women and the fourth leading cause of cancer death among young women. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, approximately 4,600 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in Argentina, and more than 2,200 people die from it.

However, the impact of HPV is not limited to cervical cancer. It can also cause other types of cancer in both sexes, such as cancers of the anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and oropharynx. Hence the importance of knowing about prevention methods and early detection.

How can HPV be prevented?
Although there is no specific treatment to eliminate HPV, its consequences can be avoided. Prevention is divided into two types:

Primary prevention: This aims to prevent infection before it occurs, using two fundamental tools:
Comprehensive sexual education (CSE): Providing information on sexual and reproductive health is essential to reducing the transmission of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.