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Human Papillomavirus ( Hpv )

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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of sexually transmitted viruses that infect skin and mucosal cells, causing genital warts and many different types of cancer that can affect the mouth, throat, vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and anus. It is a very common sexually transmitted disease that can be spread through sexual contact (sexual intercourse, oral sex and hand-genital contact) and from infected mothers to their babies during labour. The disease cannot completely be prevented from being transmitted by using condoms or other contraceptives. Most men and women will be infected with HPV at some point in their life, but most will recover from the infection with no ill effects or with any symptoms within 2 years. ‘About 25% of people with HPV infection will develop genital warts which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.’ 2%1 of HPV infections are present after 5 years which can lead to other complications. In women, HPV can cause cervical cancer, especially in Māori women who are twice as likely to get it compared to a non-Māori women. ‘Every year in New Zealand around 160 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and around 60 die from the disease.’ 1 Cervical cancer and genital warts can be prevented for women if they take the HPV vaccine. This vaccine is administered to girls when they are 12 or 13 years old (year 8 of school) in 3 doses over a period of 6 months and is funded by the government as part of the New Zealand National Immunisation Schedule. I believe the HPV

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