Curing HPV
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a virus that can cause warts to form on the genitals, hands, feet and even inside the mouth of humans. HPV infections are not unusual, with as many as 25 million individuals in the United States having this condition. While there is no cure for HPV there are treatments that can remove the warts and a vaccine has been developed for women that can prevent HPV from affecting them. HPV can, in some of forms, cause cancer, making it vital that it be recognized early.
Identification
An HPV infection can begin when the virus gains access to the body through a cut, scrape, or minute tear in an outer layer of the skin. It can be transmitted by skin to skin contact between people, with those who have genital warts able to pass the virus through sexual relations. On rare occasions a mother can even pass HPV to an infant during delivery. Most of the time HPV cannot be detected because there will be no symptoms. These signs are different depending on the type of HPV that a person has been exposed to. Genital warts are a common symptom, with warts that form in the mouth, on the tongue, and near the nose also possible with some types.
Types
There is no curing HPV but often the virus will be fought off by the body's immune system and the warts can disappear without any treatment at all. The warts can be gotten rid of but this does not mean the virus is cured; a person will still be able to transmit HPV. Genital warts can be treated in many ways. Medications such as Aldara and Condylox are creams that can destroy the tissue in warts. Chemical treatments and freezing the warts with liquid oxygen are options, as well. Electric current can burn off the warts and they can be removed surgically or with lasers.
Significance
The low-grade pre-malignant lesions that can be precipitated by HPV usually will go away by themselves. However, the more serious lesions will have to be dealt with by a physician because these are the kind that can turn cancerous, with cervical cancer in women one of the most significant consequences. These lesions will be treated by freezing, electric burning, or through standard surgery or with lasers.
Prevention/Solution
To reduce your chances of developing HPV, safe sex is advised, with the use of condoms key. This cannot stop every type of HPV but it can be effective against many of them. The vaccine known as Gardasil is an option for women. It protects women from different types of HPV and should be administered before they become active sexually. Girls in the age group between 11 and 12 years old are encouraged to have this vaccine, as it can go a long way toward preventing cervical cancer, which HPV can cause. Women should have a Pap test, which can detect cell changes brought about by HPV at an early stage, thus helping to thwart cervical cancer.
Size
There are more than 100 types of HPV but they all do not result in problems. HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for almost three-quarters of all cervical cancer in women while HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90 percent of genital warts, as much as half of vulvur cancers, and 60 percent of vaginal cancers.
Tags: cervical cancer, cancer women, cervical cancer women, genital warts, lesions will, with lasers
