The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infection - Do You Have It?
Here's some good information to keep in mind for the new year.
Remember Sex-ED in school? Remember the lectures about terrible, horrible, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea? They're not that awful.
OK, no sexually transmitted disease is wonderful.
The concept of having one is pretty creepy, but Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are completely curable with once only or short term doses of antibiotics.
What I'm going to talk about is scarier, and without proper screening and possible treatment, can kill you.
HPV is the sexually transmitted disease that more than half of us will get in our lifetime, but most of us won't know it.
80% of women have HPV by the age of 50.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a group of viruses that, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), includes more than 100 different strains or types.
Over 30 of these are sexually transmitted, and they can infect both men and women in the genital areas.
Some of these strains cause genital warts, which are soft, raised skin colored bumps that can big or small.
Genital warts can appear on the vaginal wall or cervix, labia, penis, anus, and any of the surrounding areas.
These can be diagnosed by your health care provider in the office.
There are treatments to remove the warts, but not kill the virus.
HPV and Cancer About 10 of the 30+ sexually transmitted HPV viruses can lead to cervical cancer.
Routine Pap screenings and health care provider recommended follow up can prevent cervical changes from becoming cervical cancer.
For more about this, please see my article on Pap smears.
Keep in mind that only a few of these strains have been shown to lead to cervical cancer, but many of the strains cause changes in the cervix.
So, if you've had an abnormal Pap, it doesn't mean that you will have cervical cancer.
But, it does mean that it is extra important for you to follow up with your health care provider.
Studies also suggest that HPV may play a role in cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, and penis.
Think about this for a minute- studies also suggest that HPV has a role in some cancers of the oropharynx (which includes part of the throat, soft palate, the base of the tongue, and tonsils).
Yup, oral sex has risks as well...
How do we know if we have it? Most women find out by having an abnormal Pap result, fewer learn from having a genital wart diagnosed.
There is a specific test is available to detect HPV DNA in women.
HPV and Pregnancy In rare circumstances, HPV can be transmitted to babies during pregnancy.
There are only 2 HPV strains known to cause respiratory tract warts in infants and children, a condition known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).
Again, this is very rare.
An ounce of prevention Genital HPV is caused by genital contact with someone who is infected with the virus.
This contact can be with areas that are covered by a condom, and areas that are not.
You do not have to have intercourse to get the virus- just genital contact.
The best way to prevent genital HPV is by not having sexual contact with another person.
The second best way is to limit your contact with a mutually monogamous relationship with a person who is not infected.
Did I mention that there is no HPV test for men? Here's a little good news: there is now a vaccine available for young women to prevent certain strains of the HPV virus.
These are the strains most responsible for cervical cancer and genial warts.
Look for an upcoming article about this controversial vaccine!
Remember Sex-ED in school? Remember the lectures about terrible, horrible, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea? They're not that awful.
OK, no sexually transmitted disease is wonderful.
The concept of having one is pretty creepy, but Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are completely curable with once only or short term doses of antibiotics.
What I'm going to talk about is scarier, and without proper screening and possible treatment, can kill you.
HPV is the sexually transmitted disease that more than half of us will get in our lifetime, but most of us won't know it.
80% of women have HPV by the age of 50.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a group of viruses that, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), includes more than 100 different strains or types.
Over 30 of these are sexually transmitted, and they can infect both men and women in the genital areas.
Some of these strains cause genital warts, which are soft, raised skin colored bumps that can big or small.
Genital warts can appear on the vaginal wall or cervix, labia, penis, anus, and any of the surrounding areas.
These can be diagnosed by your health care provider in the office.
There are treatments to remove the warts, but not kill the virus.
HPV and Cancer About 10 of the 30+ sexually transmitted HPV viruses can lead to cervical cancer.
Routine Pap screenings and health care provider recommended follow up can prevent cervical changes from becoming cervical cancer.
For more about this, please see my article on Pap smears.
Keep in mind that only a few of these strains have been shown to lead to cervical cancer, but many of the strains cause changes in the cervix.
So, if you've had an abnormal Pap, it doesn't mean that you will have cervical cancer.
But, it does mean that it is extra important for you to follow up with your health care provider.
Studies also suggest that HPV may play a role in cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, and penis.
Think about this for a minute- studies also suggest that HPV has a role in some cancers of the oropharynx (which includes part of the throat, soft palate, the base of the tongue, and tonsils).
Yup, oral sex has risks as well...
How do we know if we have it? Most women find out by having an abnormal Pap result, fewer learn from having a genital wart diagnosed.
There is a specific test is available to detect HPV DNA in women.
HPV and Pregnancy In rare circumstances, HPV can be transmitted to babies during pregnancy.
There are only 2 HPV strains known to cause respiratory tract warts in infants and children, a condition known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).
Again, this is very rare.
An ounce of prevention Genital HPV is caused by genital contact with someone who is infected with the virus.
This contact can be with areas that are covered by a condom, and areas that are not.
You do not have to have intercourse to get the virus- just genital contact.
The best way to prevent genital HPV is by not having sexual contact with another person.
The second best way is to limit your contact with a mutually monogamous relationship with a person who is not infected.
Did I mention that there is no HPV test for men? Here's a little good news: there is now a vaccine available for young women to prevent certain strains of the HPV virus.
These are the strains most responsible for cervical cancer and genial warts.
Look for an upcoming article about this controversial vaccine!