Pediatrician specializing in child growth and development and social pediatrics from the University of Indonesia, Prof. Soedjatmiko, Sp.A, emphasized that the transmission of the Human Papilloma virus or HPV is not only due to sexual relations but also due to environmental factors.
Based on a 2025 publication in China, the HPV virus was found to be spread by 24 percent in 360 public spaces that were accessible to the public.
"53 percent of cases are found in squat toilets, 14.2 percent in sinks, door handles, community health centers, obstetrics and gynecology hospitals, and general hospitals, and the virus concentration is quite high. This means it's easily transmitted," Soedjatmiko said at the Journalists' Class Against Cervical Cancer Misinformation in the AI Era in Jakarta on Monday.
He said the HPV virus in public places carries the risk of causing cervical cancer and can persist for up to seven hours after the virus enters the cervix.
Unfortunately, HPV infection may not be noticeable for 15-20 years and is only diagnosed during cervical screening, childbirth, and close contact with an HPV-positive woman. The virus can also be transmitted during cervical screening, menstruation, and sexual intercourse.
"As many as 70-90 percent are asymptomatic and sometimes can recover within 1-2 years. In 5-10 percent, the virus persists. The person may not feel anything, which is the problem. If it persists in the cervix, it can develop into cervical cancer 15-20 years later, and if symptoms begin to appear, it's already in the advanced stage," he said.