Final answer:
HPV aims to infiltrate mucous membrane cells to integrate its DNA and reproduce. A Pap smear can diagnose HPV, and vaccination is essential to prevent high-risk HPV strains from causing genital warts and cervical cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Upon infection, human papillomavirus (HPV) targets the cells of the mucous membranes, such as those lining the genital tract. After HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, the virus seeks to enter these cells and integrate its double-stranded DNA genome into the host's DNA. This integration disrupts the host cell's normal functions and can lead to the production of more virus particles. HPV infections can be detected in a Pap smear, where abnormal cells in the cervix might be indicative of an HPV infection.
The motivation for HPV vaccination is to prevent the spread of HPV and its potential to cause genital warts and, more seriously, cancer, including cancer of the cervix. Vaccination is particularly targeted against high-risk HPV strains like HPV 16 and HPV 18, which are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases. Since these high-risk strains can cause the cells of the cervix to develop precancerous changes, vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing the development of these harmful conditions.