&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Life Cycle of the HPV Virus: Understanding a Common Infection&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/hpv-singapore&quot;&gt;Human papillomavirus (HPV)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt; is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally, and is highly prevalent in Singapore. Most sexually active individuals will be exposed to HPV at some point, often without ever knowing it. While over 100 different HPV types exist, about 14 are classified as high-risk HPV types, with the potential to cause cervical, anal, penile, and/or oropharyngeal cancers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;HPV is not a single disease but a family of viruses that infect the epithelial cells of the skin or mucosal surfaces. Understanding the HPV virus life cycle is essential to appreciate how it behaves in the body, how it enters, replicates, persists, or clears, and how it can sometimes lead to serious health complications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;146&quot; data-end=&quot;190&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;149&quot; data-end=&quot;190&quot;&gt;In Short, What Is the HPV Life Cycle?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;192&quot; data-end=&quot;449&quot;&gt;The HPV life cycle refers to how the human papillomavirus (HPV) infects cells, replicates, and spreads in the body. HPV primarily targets basal epithelial cells found in the skin and mucous membranes, such as the cervix, anus, vulva, and throat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 data-start=&quot;451&quot; data-end=&quot;491&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;1. Entry Through Micro-Abrasions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;492&quot; data-end=&quot;678&quot;&gt;HPV gains access to the body through tiny cuts or abrasions in the epithelial surface&amp;mdash;usually during sexual contact. It then infects basal cells, the deepest layer of the epithelium.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 data-start=&quot;680&quot; data-end=&quot;717&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;2. Latency or Early Infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;718&quot; data-end=&quot;892&quot;&gt;Once inside, HPV can either stay dormant (latent) or begin early-stage replication as the infected cells divide. The virus hides from the immune system during this phase.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 data-start=&quot;894&quot; data-end=&quot;927&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;3. Productive Replication&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;928&quot; data-end=&quot;1131&quot;&gt;As infected cells migrate upward through the epithelium, the virus uses the host&amp;rsquo;s cellular machinery to replicate its DNA and produce viral proteins. New virus particles (virions) are assembled.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 data-start=&quot;1133&quot; data-end=&quot;1169&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;4. Viral Shedding and Spread&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1170&quot; data-end=&quot;1338&quot;&gt;Fully formed virions are released from the epithelial surface, allowing the virus to spread to new areas or hosts. This shedding often happens without symptoms.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 data-start=&quot;1340&quot; data-end=&quot;1382&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. Immune Clearance or Persistence&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1385&quot; data-end=&quot;1474&quot;&gt;In over 90% of cases, the body&amp;rsquo;s immune system clears the infection within two years.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1477&quot; data-end=&quot;1655&quot;&gt;If the immune system fails to clear the virus, persistent HPV infection&amp;mdash;especially with high-risk types&amp;mdash;can cause abnormal cell changes and may eventually lead to cancer.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How HPV Infects the Body: From Entry to Replication&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;HPV typically gains entry into the body through micro-abrasions or minor tears in the skin or mucosa during intimate contact. These small openings allow the virus to reach the basal layer of epithelial cells, where infection begins. This early stage is silent as there are no symptoms, and the virus often remains undetected.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Once inside the basal cells, HPV may remain in a latent state or begin to replicate as the host cells divide and differentiate. As these infected cells move upward through the layers of the epithelium, the virus uses the host&amp;rsquo;s DNA machinery to produce viral proteins and new viral particles. These newly formed virions are eventually shed from the surface, allowing the virus to spread to new hosts or areas.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Natural Clearance of HPV: The Body&amp;rsquo;s Immune Response&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;In the vast majority of cases, HPV infection is transient and cleared by the immune system without medical intervention. Research shows that more than 90% of HPV infections resolve spontaneously within two years, especially among young, immunocompetent individuals. This natural immune response clears the virus before it causes any noticeable symptoms or long-term complications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Importantly, testing positive for HPV does not mean cancer. Most infections do not progress beyond this early stage. However, the immune system&amp;rsquo;s ability to detect and clear the virus varies between individuals.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Persistent HPV Infections and Cancer Risk&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;In some cases&amp;mdash;especially with high-risk HPV types such as HPV-16 and HPV-18&amp;mdash;the virus is not cleared and becomes persistent. Over time, persistent infection can cause abnormal cellular changes in the cervix, anus, or throat, known as dysplasia. If not detected and treated, these lesions may gradually progress to invasive cancer.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;This process usually takes years to decades, allowing time for screening, detection, and intervention. That&amp;rsquo;s why regular &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/hpv-screening-in-women-cervical-cancer-prevention&quot;&gt;HPV screening in Singapore&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt; such as &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #000080;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/pap-smear&quot;&gt;Pap smears&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt; for women and &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/anal-pap-smear-and-anal-cancer&quot;&gt;anal Pap tests&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;for high-risk groups, plays a critical role in preventing HPV-related cancers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HPV Symptoms and What to Expect&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;While many HPV infections are asymptomatic, certain types can cause physical signs:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Low-risk HPV types&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; (e.g., HPV-6, HPV-11): May cause &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/genital-warts&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;genital warts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt; (soft, flesh-colored growths on the genitals &amp;amp; anus area).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;High-risk HPV types usually&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;do not produce symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; until cellular changes become advanced.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HPV Transmission: How It Spreads&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;HPV is highly contagious and spreads through&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;Skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;Shared sex toys (without proper hygiene)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;Rarely, vertical transmission from mother to baby&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Even individuals with no visible symptoms can transmit HPV. Condoms reduce, but do not eliminate, transmission risk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p data-start=&quot;2310&quot; data-end=&quot;2495&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Preventing HPV: The Role of Vaccination&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/hpv-vaccine&quot;&gt;HPV vaccination in Singapore&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt; is a cornerstone of prevention. The vaccine protects against the most common high-risk and low-risk types, including those that cause cancer and warts. It is most effective when given before the onset of sexual activity&amp;nbsp;but is still recommended for adults.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;The vaccine has been integrated into Singapore&amp;rsquo;s national immunisation schedule, and eligible students often receive it in secondary school.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Screening and Early Detection in Singapore&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;Regular HPV screening can detect infections before they progress to cancer. Testing options include&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;HPV DNA testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; for cervical cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/men-hpv-test-singapore&quot;&gt;HPV Urine Test for Male&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/pap-smear&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;Pap smears&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; to detect cellular abnormalities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/anal-pap-smear-and-anal-cancer&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;Anal cytology screening&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; for high-risk groups (e.g., MSM, HIV-positive individuals)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Understanding the HPV Life Cycle Matters&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot;&gt;The life cycle of the HPV virus explains how a typically silent infection can evolve into a serious health issue if undetected. While most infections are short-lived and harmless, understanding HPV&amp;rsquo;s behaviour in the body reinforces the need for:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/vaccination&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #003366;&quot;&gt;Vaccination&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; as early protection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/multiplex-pcr-std-testing&quot;&gt;Screening&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; as a preventive measure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #003366;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Education&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt; to combat stigma and promote sexual health&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;By learning how HPV infects, spreads, and clears, individuals can make empowered, informed choices to protect themselves and their partners.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #333333;&quot; data-preserver-spaces=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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