More Cases Of High Risk HPV Infection In Indonesia

JAKARTA - Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can cause various diseases, one of which is cervical cancer or cervix neck cancer. Cancer caused by HPV is still a serious threat to the world population, including Indonesia.

Indonesia is currently the country with the highest cervical cancer cases in Southeast Asia. Cases of HPV infection in Indonesia are dominated by high risk or high risk.

As is known, HPV has more than 200 types, with high risk categories and low risk. High risk types such as HPV 16, 18, 52, and 58, which can trigger various types of cancer.

The majority of HPVs are high-risk viruses in Indonesia. The high risk is those who are at risk of developing cancer. There are cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, an anus cancer, "said an internal medicine specialist, dr. Anshari Saifuddin Hasibuan, Sp.PD, K-AI, during a media meeting in Menteng, Jakarta, written Sunday, August 31, 2025.

For low risk (low risk) such as HPV 6 and 11, which usually cause sex warts. Even though it is at low risk, this type of HPV must also be watched out for because the disease can reduce the quality of life.

"Low risk usually causes sex warts. Even though the risk is low, it can still reduce the patient's quality of life, because it is very difficult to catch these warts," he explained.

With the various risks that can be caused, the public must understand the transmission and prevention of HPV infection. Transmission usually occurs due to sexual activity and also non-sexual, such as mothers to babies during childbirth or through non-sterile medical devices.

In the main prevention of HPV infection, it is by vaccinating. The latest generation of vaccines, namely non-avalent, are now available and able to protect nine types of HPV, including HPV 52 and 58, which are most often found in Indonesia.

"The types 52 and 58 that are often found in Indonesia are not covered by old vaccines, so the revaccination of HPV with the latest generation of vaccines is very important," concluded Doctor Anshari.