HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)
by
Sammie Ward
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is considered the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States and is considered the primary cause of cervical cancer. It is estimated that about 5.5 million new genital HPV cases occur every year. HPV consists of more than 100 different type of viruses responsible for causing warts. Majority of warts can be found on common areas of the body such as hands, feets, fingers, and the face.
About 30 types of these viruses are sexually transmitted and cause genital HPV, affecting both men and women. The lesions are known as genital warts, infecting the skin of the vulva (area outside the vagina), cervix, in or around the anus, penis, scrotum (testicles), groin or thighs. 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead to the development of cervical cancer.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the highest rate of infected people are between the ages and 18 and 28. By age 50, some 80 percent of women will have been infected with genital HPV infection. HPV is transmitted by having sex with an infected partner. It can be trasmitted by skin-to-skin genital contact or rubbing. Women most at risk are those with a history of multiple sexual partners.
During sexual intercourse the virus enters the body through layers of skin, cervix, or the vagina. Once the layers have been penetrated, the virus attacks the cells and multiplies. Once the virus becomes established in the skin, cervix, or vagina, it may become dormant or multiply to become a genital wart. The wart is contagious but the dormant infection can also be contagious, making it impossible to stop the virus from spreading. The use of a condom may not be full proof against the virus since the virus can be located on the testicles of the male or the vulva of the female. During sex the virus can easily spread, a woman can easily become infected by more than one type of virus. One of the viruses can cause pre-cancerous changes to the cervix for women and men can run the risk of developing anus and prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Genital Warts
Because genital HPV infections are often unseen, most people who become infected are unaware that they are infected. Others may develop genital warts. Genital warts appear as soft, moist, pink, with flesh-colored swelling. They can be single, multiple growth, or bumps in the shape of a cauliflower. Once infected the warts may appear within 3 weeks to 6 months after sexual contact, or not at all. The time period is difficult to determine as each person immune symstem is different.
Warts are usually not accompanied by other symptoms but some times they can cause mild itching. Some warts can be so small, they can only be diagnosed by visual inspection. Others can be so large they can prevent sexual intercourse.
A pregnant mother who is infected with HPV can transmit the virus to her infant during vaginal childbirth. Because of hormone changes during pregnancy, warts can grow in size, making delivery difficult. However, pregnancy women with genital warts do not typically need to have a cesarean secction unless the wart is blocking the birth canal.
Treatment
There is no cure for genital warts infection but most visible warts can be remove to help minimize unsightly appearances, symptoms, or symptoms of discomfort. The health care provider will suggest the best treatment according to size, location, number of warts, and changes in the warts. Some genital warts can be removed by at-home prescription creams, or by treatments done in a clinic or doctor's office.
Treatments done in a clinic or doctor's office include:
*Cryotheraphy (freezing off wart with liquid nitrogen)
*TCA (trichloracetic acid) a chemical applied to the surface of the wart.
*Cutting off warts. Treatment used to get rid of the wart in one office visit.
*Electrocautery (burning off warts with an electric current)
*Laser Theraphy (using intense light to destroy warts) This method is used for larger or extensive warts, particularly those that have not responded to other treatments.
*Interferon (a substance injected into the warts)
At-Home-Prescription Creams (provided by prescription from a doctor):
*Podofilox cream or gel (condylox (R). Treatment for external genital warts. Used for about four weeks.
*Imiquimod cream (Aldora (R). Treatment for external genital warts. This cream is different than other common used treatments, which works by destroying the wart tissue. It's boost the immune system to help fight HPV.
For Additional Information about Human Papilloma Virus contact: GotHPV.NET (www.gothpv.net) or phone( 877)343-7737
BIO: Sammie Ward is a fiction and nonfiction writer. She's the author of three novels, one novella, over thirty short stories, and over twenty health related articles.
To pick up novels by author Sammie Ward and all of your favorite authors visit the Lion's Den at: http://astore.amazon.com/ladyleopublis-20
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Blog with me at: http://sammieward.blogspot.com
