HPV and Men

July 29, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus. Most sexually active people in the United States (U.S.) will have HPV at some time in their lives. There are more than 40 types of HPV that are passed on during sex. These types can infect the genital areas of men, including the skin on and around the penis or anus.

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What are the health problems caused by HPV in men?

Most men who get HPV (of any type) never develop any symptoms or health problems. But some types of HPV can cause Genital Warts. Other types can cause penile cancer or anal cancer. The types of HPV that can cause Genital Warts are not the same as the types that can cause penile or anal cancer.Anal cancer is not the same as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is more common than anal cancer, but it is not caused by HPV.

How common are HPV related health problems in men?

  • About 1% of sexually active men in the U.S. have Genital Warts at any one time.
  • Penile cancer is rare, especially in circumcised men. In the U.S., it affects about 1 in every 100,000 men. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that about 1,530 men would be diagnosed with penile cancer in the U.S. in 2006.
  • Anal cancer is also uncommon—especially in men with healthy immune systems. According to the ACS, about 1,900 men will be diagnosed with anal cancer in the U.S. in 2007.

Some men are more likely to develop HPV-related diseases than others:

  • Gay and bisexual men are 17 times more likely to develop anal cancer than heterosexual men.
  • Men with weak immune systems, including those who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are more likely than other men to develop anal cancer. Men with HIV are also more likely to get severe cases of genital warts that are hard to treat.

Whar are the signs and symptoms?

Among men who do develop health problems, these are some of the signs to look for:

Signs of genital warts:

  • One or more growths on the penis, testicles, groin, thighs, or anus.
  • Warts may be raised, flat, or cauliflower-shaped. They usually do not hurt.
  • Warts may appear within weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person.

Signs and symptoms of anal cancer:

  • Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms.
  • Anal bleeding, pain, itching, or discharge.
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin area.
  • Changes in bowel habits or the shape of your stool.

Signs of penile cancer:

  • First signs: changes in color, skin thickening, or a build-up of tissue on the penis.
  • Later signs: a growth or sore on the penis. It is usually painless, but in some cases, the sore may be painful and bleed.
  • There may be no symptoms until the cancer is quite advanced.

HOw do men get HPV?

HPV is passed on through genital contact –most often during vaginal and anal sex. Since HPV usually causes no symptoms, most men and women can get HPV – and pass it on – without realizing it. People can have HPV even if years have passed since they had sex.

Is there a test for HPV in men?

Currently, there is no test designed or approved to find HPV in men. The only approved HPV test on the market is for women, for use as part of cervical cancer screening. There is no general test for men or women to check one’s overall “HPV status.” But HPV usually goes away on its own, without causing health problems. So an HPV infection that is found today will most likely not be there a year or two from now.

REMEMBER: HPV is very common in men and women. Most men with HPV will never develop health problems from it. Finding out if you have HPV is not as important as finding out if you have the diseases that it can cause. Scientists are still studying how best to screen for penile and anal cancers in men who may be at highest risk for those diseases (see below).

Is there a test to find genital warts?

Most of the time, you can see genital warts. Some doctors may use a vinegar solution to help find flat warts—but this test can sometimes wrongly identify normal skin as a wart.

Is there a test to screen for HPV-related cancers in men?

Screening tests can find early signs of disease in people who are not yet sick. Screening tests for penile or anal cancer are not widely recommended.

Some experts recommend yearly anal Pap tests for gay, bisexual, and HIV-positive men, since anal cancer is more common in these groups. This test can find abnormal cells in the anus that could turn into cancer over time. If abnormal cells are found, they can be removed. CDC does not recommend anal Pap tests because there is not enough research to show that removing abnormal anal cells actually prevents anal cancer from developing in the future. More studies are needed to understand if anal Pap tests and treatment of abnormal cells prevent anal cancer in men.

You can check for any abnormalities on your penis, scrotum, or around the anus. See your doctor if you find warts, blisters, sores, ulcers, white patches, or other abnormal areas on your penis—even if they do not hurt.

Is there a treatment or cure for HPV?

There is no treatment or cure for HPV. But there are ways to treat the health problems caused by HPV in men.

Genital warts can be treated with medicine, removed (surgery), or frozen off. Some of these treatments involve a visit to the doctor. Others can be done at home by the patient himself. No one treatment is better than another. But warts often come back within a few months after treatment—so several treatments may be needed.  Treating genital warts may not necessarily lower a man’s chances of passing HPV on to his sex partner. Because of this, some men choose not to treat genital warts. If they are not treated, genital warts may go away on their own, stay the same, or grow (in size or number). They will not turn into cancer or threaten your health.

Penile and anal cancers can be treated with new forms of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Often, two or more of these treatments are used together. Patients should decide with their doctors which treatments are best for them.

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Are there ways to lwoer my chances of getting HPV?

Because HPV is so common and usually invisible, the only sure way to prevent it is not to have sex. Even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV, if their partner was infected with HPV. Condoms (used all the time and the right way) may lower your chances of passing HPV to a partner or developing HPV-related diseases. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom—so condoms may not fully protect against HPV.

I hears about a new HPV vaccine, can it help me?

The new HPV vaccine was developed to protect against most cervical cancers and genital warts. At this point, it is only licensed to be used in girls/women, ages 9-26 years. Studies are now being done to find out if the vaccine is also safe in men, and if it can protect them against genital warts and certain penile and anal cancers. The FDA will consider licensing the vaccine for boys and men if there is proof that it is safe and effective for them.

I just found out that my partner hs HPV…

What does it mean for my health?

Partners usually share HPV. If you have been with your partner for a long time, you probably have HPV already. Most sexually active adults will have HPV at some time in their lives. Men with healthy immune systems rarely develop health problems from HPV. But you should check regularly for any abnormalities on your penis. If you have a weak immune system or HIV, ask your doctor about checking for anal and penile cancers.

If your partner is new, condoms may lower your chances of getting HPV or developing HPV-related diseases. But not having sex is the only sure way to avoid HPV.

What does it mean for our relationship?

A person can have HPV for many years before it is found or causes health problems. So there is no way to know if your partner gave you HPV, or if you gave HPV to your partner. HPV should not be seen as a sign that you or your partner is having sex outside of your relationship.

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Anal infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is more prevalent in heterosexual men than previously thought, according to a US study published in the June 15 th edition of the … Read more….

 

Hetero Men Also at Risk for Anal HPV

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Men can’t get the kind of HPV that causes cervical cancer in women

Now there is talk about men "getting high risk HPV" on their lips and other places. Let me make this clear: MEN CANNOT GET THE KIND OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS THAT CAUSES CERVICAL CANCER IN WOMEN. This is nothing more than a report …

But even with correct condom use diseases like herpes and HPV can …

Untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women and Cody robert tree in men. Merck has already discussed with FDA their questions related. CIN and AIS are the immediate and necessary precursors of squamous. …

HPV Vaccine Program in Alberta, PVC Shower Curtains Contain Toxins …

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More links found between cancer in men and HPV, but men aren’t … Medill Reports, IL – 53 minutes ago The drug Gardasil, first made available to young women in 2006, also vaccinates against types 6 and 11, which are responsible for 90 …

Yeast Infction In Men plus Vaginal Itcing Hpv

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HPV Concern For Men: What Do Men Need To Know?

The Human Papillomavirus infects around 6 million new people each year, and certain stains of the virus can lead to penile or anal cancer in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, …

what are the health risks associated with HPV in men – MayoClinic.com

what are the health risks associated with HPV in men MayoClinic.com – 2 hours ago Genital HPV spreads through sexual contact. Both men and women can pass it to their partners. Certain types of HPV cause genital warts, but the virus …

Arizona Cancer Center Completes Study on HPV in Heterosexual Men

Arizona Cancer Center Completes Study on HPV in Heterosexual Men. The results raise important issues about the prevalence and risk factors for the primary cause of anal cancer in US men. Share/Save/Bookmark.

Oral Cancer in Men Associated With HPV – New York Times

Oral Cancer in Men Associated With HPV New York Times, United States – 46 minutes ago Of an estimated 28900 cases of oral cancer a year, 18550 are in men. “The high risk of HPV-associated cancers in men suggests that vaccinating all …

Arizona Cancer Center Completes Study on HPV in Heterosexual Men

The results raise important issues about the prevalence and risk factors for the primary cause of anal cancer in US men.

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HPV & Cervical Cancer

July 28, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment 

 

For Women who have HPV

 

 

This information is for women who have the type of genital human papillomavirus (pap-ah-LO-mah-VYE-rus)— also just called HPV— that can sometimes lead to cervical cancer.

This is my first time hearing about HPV.  Does having HPV mean I will get cancer? Will I still be able to have babies?

 

 

What is HPV?

 

HPV is a common virus. There are about 40 types of HPV that affect the genitals or sex organs of men and women. Some HPV types can cause Genital Warts.  Other types can infect a woman’s cervix and lead to cervical cancer over many years. But most of the time, HPV causes no symptoms or health problems and goes away by itself within two years. Experts do not know why HPV goes away in so many, but not all women.

 

How did I get HPV?  Who gave it to me?

 

HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex.  Most people never even know they have HPV or that they are passing it to their partner.  For this reason, it may not be possible to know who gave you HPV or when you got it.  HPV is so common that most people get it soon after they start having sex.  In cases when HPV does not go away on its own, it may only be found years later.

 

Are there other ways I could have gotten HPV?

 

There are many myths about how people get HPV.  You cannot get HPV from being unclean, from toilet seats, or from having an abortion.  Also, you are not more likely to get HPV from having rough sex or sex during your period. 

 

How does HPV cause cervical cancer?

 

HPV can cause normal cells on your cervix to turn abnormal.  Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own.  When HPV goes away, your cervical cells go back to normal.  But if HPV lingers for many years, these abnormal cells can turn into cancer.

 

Can I prevent cervical cancer?

 

Yes. You can get screening tests that can find early signs of cervical cancer before you ever get sick.  That way, problems can be found and removed before they ever become cancer. The Pap test and HPV test are cervical cancer screening tests.

How is the Pap test different from the HPV test?

Both of these tests help screen for cervical cancer, but they look for different things. The Pap test looks for cell changes on your cervix that could develop into cervical cancer.  The HPV test looks for HPV, the virus that can cause these cell changes. 

 

How likely am I to get cancer if I have HPV?

 

Few women who have HPV get cervical cancer—as long as they follow their doctor’s advice for needed testing or treatment.  If you have HPV, your doctor may check up on you more often and do more tests to look for changes on your cervix.  That way, your doctor can find and treat any changes early, so you don’t get cervical cancer. Be sure to follow up with your doctor!

 

Is there a treatment for HPV?

 

There is no treatment for HPV, but most people’s bodies do eventually fight the virus off.  There are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause—like Genital Warts, cervical cell changes, and cervical cancer. Once abnormal cells are treated (removed), you may need to get Pap tests more often to make sure they do not come back.

 

Will I have HPV forever?

 

In most women, HPV goes away within two years.  We do not know why it lasts longer in some women than others. 

 

If HPV goes away, can I get it again?

 

If you have one type of HPV that goes away, you may not get that type again.  But you still can get a different type. Remember, there are about 40 types of HPV that can infect the genital area.

 

Does having HPV affect my chances of getting pregnant or having healthy babies?

 

Having HPV does not make it harder to get or stay pregnant.  The type of HPV you have should not affect the health of your future babies.  But if you need treatment for abnormal cells (caused by HPV), the treatment could affect your chance of having babies. Ask your doctor if your treatment can impact your ability to get pregnant.

 

Will I pass HPV to my current partner?

 

If you have HPV and have been with your partner for a while, your partner is likely to have HPV too.  There is no way to know if your partner gave you HPV, or if you gave HPV to your partner. 

 

Can I prevent passing HPV to a new partner?

 

Condoms may lower your chances of passing HPV to your new partner, if used all the time and the right way.  But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom—so condoms may not fully protect against HPV.  The only sure way to prevent passing HPV to a partner is not to have sex.  

 

Can my male partner get tested for HPV?

 

Right now, there is no HPV test for men. HPV is just as common in men as in women, but its health complications tend to be more serious in women. The types of HPV that put you at risk for cervical cancer rarely cause health problems for most men.

 

How do I talk to my partner about HPV?

 

You and your partner may benefit from talking openly about HPV. You can tell your partner that:

  • HPV is very common. It can infect the genital areas of both men and women. It usually has no signs or symptoms. 
  • Most sexually active people get HPV at some time in their lives, though most will never know it.  People with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV, if their partner was infected with HPV.
  • Most of the time, the body fights off HPV naturally. But in some people, HPV does not go away.
  • There is no test yet for men to find out if they have HPV. But the most common health problem caused by HPV in men is Genital Warts. And the type of HPV found on your HPV test does not cause genital warts.
  • Partners who have been together for a while tend to share HPV. This means that your partner likely has HPV also, even though your partner may have no signs or symptoms.
  • Having HPV does not mean that you or your partner is having sex outside of your relationship. There is no sure way to know when you got HPV. A person can have HPV for many years before it is found.

If your sex partner is female, you should talk to her about the link between HPV and cervical cancer, and encourage her to get screened for cervical cancer.

 

I heard about a new HPV vaccine. Can it help me?

 

A new HPV vaccine is now available for females, ages 9 to 26 years. It protects against the four HPV types that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. But it does not treat existing HPV, cervical cell changes, or genital warts. The vaccine will be most effective in females who have not yet had sex since they are unlikely to have HPV.  But young sexually active females may still benefit. The vaccine has not yet been tested with women older than 26 years. It may be available one day for women over 26, if it is found to be safe and effective for them. In the meantime, if you are 26 years or younger, ask your doctor if this vaccine is right for you.

Costs hindering Cervical Cancer campaign – The development of cervical cancer is very slow and takes up to 20 years from infection with HPV to become cervical cancer. It starts as precancerous condition called dysplasia. The latter describes the appearance of abnormal cells of …

HPV Vaccine Adverse Events Worrisome Says Key Investigator – The decline in cervical cancer in developed countries has been largely attributed to regular Pap screening — something Dr. Harper believes has done a superb job. Women who haven’t received an HPV vaccine, and even those who have, …

Cervical Cancer Vaccine-Gardasil-A Cervisl Cancer Vaccine Or APoison – ((((final Post for Knol)))) Cervical cancer is of great concern for women, but apparently so are the drugs prescribed to combat it. A vaccine, Gardasil, designed to prevent a rare form of cervical cancer, is coming under new scrutiny, …

Address risk factors to prevent cervical cancer – HPV infection has been identified as the main risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV can infect the cervix and can be passed on through sexual contact. HPV infections are very common. It has been found that most adults have been infected …

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Cervical cancer vaccination not ready until 2010 – IT MAY be 2010 before a full cervical cancer vaccination programme will be available to women in the Republic, due to a combination of budgetary constraints and information technology problems in the health service, it has emerged.

Cervical Cancer – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment – The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, the place where a baby grows during pregnancy. Cervical cancer is caused by several types of a virus called human papillomaviruses (HPV). The virus spreads through sexual contact. …

GUEST POST: The “Cervical Cancer” Vaccine, STD Stigma & the Truth … – Here today is Adina Nack with a fantastic guest post on how STD stereotypes have led to the mismarketing of the HPV vaccine as a cervical cancer vaccine. An associate professor of sociology, who has directed California Lutheran …

Cervical Cancer Charity Welcomes Department Of Health’s … – The UK’s leading cervical cancer charity, Jo’s Trust, has welcomed the Department of Health’s announcement that the HPV vaccine, Cervarix will be used in the national immunisation programme for 12/13 year olds starting in September, …

Study Finds QIAGEN’s HPV Test Offers Greater Long-term Protection … – “The five-year risk for developing cervical cancer is reduced by more than 60 percent when using HPV testing, compared to conventional Pap smears and possibly even liquid-based cytology. This permits extension of the interval between …

Cervical Cancer – What Is It And How Does It Affect Me – Cervical cancer almost always develops from cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus HPV, which is spread through genital skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Cervical carcinoma also seems more prevalent in women who …

KnowNow replied to the discussion A Testimony: No More Cervical Cancer – KnowNow KnowNow replied to the discussion A Testimony: No More Cervical Cancer.

Cervical Cancer – What Is It And How Does It Affect Me – Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women worldwide, and it remains a leading cause of cancer-related death for women in developing countries.

PUBLIC HEALTH & EDUCATION | CDC, FDA Release Statement Saying HPV … – Gardasil in clinical trials has been shown to prevent infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which together cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases, and to prevent infection with HPV strains 6 and 11, which cause about 90% of genital …

Fpa Statement On New Cervical Cancer Vaccine, UK – The Department of Health is going to use the Cervarix HPV vaccine, that protects young women against cervical cancer, in their nationwide vaccination programme. Julie Bentley, Chief Executive fpa said: While we of course…

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics licenses technology to develop HPV … – The US FDA recently approved the first HPV cervical cancer vaccine that includes a portion of the L1 capsid protein to guard against this terrible disease. Advanced Cancer Therapeutics is developing a novel HPV vaccine which targets the …

VIDEO THE MEANING OF AN ABNORMAL PAP SMEAR AND RISK FACTORS … – About 40 types of HPV are spread during sex. Some types of HPVs can cause cervical cancer when not treated. HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. About 75 percent of sexually active people will get HPV …

HPV and Gardasil – Only 1% of people with HPV will get cervical cancer. There are over 100 strands of HPV and Gardasil only protects against 4 strands of HPV, 2 of which are actually linked to cervical cancer; HPV 16 and HPV 18. That means Gardasil does …

UK School Girls Will Not Benefit From The World’s Leading Four … – Gardasil® is indicated for the prevention of cervical cancer, precancerous cervical lesions (CIN2/3), precancerous vulvar lesions (VIN 2/3) and external genital warts caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. The Committee for Medicinal …

Gardasil, the HPV Vaccine, Is Safe, Says FDA and CDC – If this applies to you or your children, then consider this and get vaccinated, this vaccine prevents infection with the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. For additional reading related to vaccines …

Cervical Cancer Vaccination – Do Your Research First – The cervical cancer vaccination research involved testing on women with a healthy immune system, this excluded all women who had been found to be infected with HPV-16 (believed to be found in 50% of cervical cancer victims), …

HPV Vaccine Causes Public Concern despite FDA/CDC Support – … (CDC) issued a joint statement on reassuring doctors and patients about the safety of Gardasil, in response to public concerns, but there is no question that HPV vaccine is not the only player in cervical cancer prevention. …

Valium vaccine – Cervical Cancer Vaccine The vaccine must be taken which contains a scary threat in two polio vaccines that are good in the first, started his work on mutating through antigenic shift or don’t do to fight against polio. …

No prescription for HPV vaccine – Last updated: Monday, July 28, 2008 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced that the Medicines Control Council (MCC) has granted permission for the scheduling status of its cervical cancer vaccine to change. The new scheduling status of …

No More Cervical Cancer! – cervical cancer and embrace the pH Miracle Lifestyle and diet that reversed her symptoms – No more cervical cancer. Remember, "Nothing tastes as good as good health feels." In love, light and laughter, Dr. Robert O. Young …

Early detection is key to prevention of cervical cancer – Munich – Women should have regular checks for cervical cancer, according to experts.

Gardasil: What would you do? (about cervical cancer) – http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/centres/cancer/cervical/prevention/index.html. Risk factors for cervical cancer include:. becoming sexually active at a young age Young women are more susceptible to HPV infection since the cells of the …

Gardasil: Does the benefit outweigh the risk? – If 80% of women are affected with HPV by the age of 50…then the incidence of death from cervical cancer is very low in comparison. See what I am talking about on this list of causes of death by rate at Wikipedia. Cervical cancer is at …

Looking for Advice on Dysplasia – I am negative for HPV. I guess I’m just basically wondering why this process seems to be moving along so slowly? I was diagnosed with CIN II early in May, and now it is nearing August and my doctor is yet to take any action. …

Nventa Announces Final Data From HspE7 Phase 1 Cervical Dysplasia … – HspE7 is a therapeutic treatment for patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or CIN, a precursor to cervical cancer. The primary cause of CIN is infection with certain human papillomavirus (HPV) types, of which HPV16 is the …

Cervical Dysplasia – I am 28 years old and I was first diagonsed with HPV at age 18. I’ve had 3 abnormal pap smears since followed by colposcopies, my first 2 came back as CIN 1 and this recent one came back today as CIN 2. My doctor is recommending the …

What is cervical cancer? – Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You get HPV by having sex with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. …

HPV, Cervical Cancer and Your Fertility – Cervical cancer kills 288000 women annually worldwide. Cervical cancer is the only cancer with a single known cause – the human papillomavirus (HPV). The Pap alone is not foolproof. New technologies like HPV testing make cervical cancer …

HPV – The Doc said that only 4 strands of the HPV virus have been linked to cervical cancer and there are thousands of strands of HPV. 200 woman die a year from cervical cancer and it is one of the few highly treatable and preventable cancers …

Cancer Research Highlights – They devise new therapeutic techniques, including new radiotherapy applicators for cervical cancer treatment and procedures to focus radiation using nanoparticles, quantum dots, and other discoveries from the cutting edge of science, …

The jab that can stop cancer – Dispatches – Moore is surprised to discover that the jabs on offer only provide cover against the two most common strains cancer-causing strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV-16 and HPV-18), the infective agent responsible for cervical cancer. …

Life improper care of cervical cancer – HPV infections lead to cervical cancer is an important reason, HPV detection of the virus and cervical lesions are related, cytology and HPV-negative can adhere to this inspection. Through colposcopy, the doctor can see some suspicious …

Prevacid side effects list possible Molly and two cats Miranda and … – Today is an important day for public health and for women’s health, and for our continued fight against serious life threatening diseases like cervical cancer, said Alex Azar, Deputy Secretary, U. While the study period was not long …

HPV VACCINE – There are many types of this virus but some can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Studies show most women get cervical cancer between the ages of 35-55 years old and these women are most likely exposed to cancer causing HPV …

USMLE Step 2 CK :: RE: screening for cervical cancer – Author: kpmle2 Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:07 am (GMT 5.5) D. Annually at the time they become sexually active or at the age of 21, whichever comes first. To do anything that you want to do That is the strenght of the human will. …

31 Simple Ways to Prevent Cancer: Small changes to inoculate … – The more sexual partners a woman has, the greater her risk of contracting human papillomavirus, or HPV, which causes cervical cancer. Having an unfaithful husband also increases her risk. 20. Cut out high-fat animal protein. …

USMLE Step 2 CK :: screening for cervical cancer – Subject: screening for cervical cancer Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:49 pm (GMT 5.5) When do you start screening for cervical cancer? A. Annually at the time they become sexually active or at the age of 18, whichever comes first. …

Officials In Maryland Claim Contractor Inflated State’s Cancer Stats – The Baltimore Sun reports that, as a result, researchers asked about 400 women, who did not have cervical cancer, to participate in a study of the disease. Calls from several of the women tipped off officials that there was a problem …

HPV Vaccines Based on "Scientific Fraud" – Archived documents discovered at the US Food and Drug Administration’s website reveal the agency knew in 2003 that HPV infections did not cause cervical cancer. Despite that knowledge, the FDA has continued to support the use of the …

Help Fight Cancer – The CDC budget for FY07 includes $201 million for breast and cervical cancer initiatives, $13.9 million for prostate cancer and $14.4 million for colon cancer. CDC budget for FY07 included $0 for lung cancer initiatives. …

Cervical Cancer – What Is It And How Does It Affect Me – Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women worldwide, and it remains a leading cause of cancer-related death for women in developing countries. Cervical tumors usually affects women of middle age or older, …

Genital HPV Infection

July 28, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

 

Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomavirus is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. More than 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital area of men and women including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), or anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, or rectum. Most people who become infected with HPV will not have any symptoms and will clear the infection on their own.

Information on HPV & Pap

July 27, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment 

 

Making Sense of Your HPV and Pap Test Results

 

Getting abnormal results does not mean that you have cervical cancer now. For specific questions about your test results, talk to your doctor. Click hyperlinked words to view their definitions.

 

 

What is cervical cancer?

 

Cancer can grow on a woman’s cervix—the same way it can grow on other body parts. Most times, cervical cancer forms slowly. Cervical cancer often does not cause symptoms until it is advanced. When cervical cancer is advanced, it may cause abnormal bleeding, discharge, or pain.

cervix
The cervix is the opening of your uterus (womb). It is part of a woman’s reproductive system.

 

What causes cervical cancer?

 

A virus, called genital human papillomavirus (pap-ah-LOmah- VYE-rus)—also just called HPV—can cause normal cells on your cervix to turn abnormal. Over many years, abnormal cells can turn into cancer if they are not found and treated by your doctor. It can take 10 to 15 years (or more) for cells to change from normal to abnormal, and then into cancer. Abnormal cells are sometimes called “pre-cancer” because they are not normal, but they are not yet cancer.

You cannot see or feel HPV or these cell changes on your cervix.

HPV can cause changes in cervical cells over time. Image shows normal cells, pre-cancer cells, and cancer cells.

 

What is cervical cancer screening?

 

Screening tests can find early problems before you get sick. The Pap test is a screening test for cervical cancer. It looks for abnormal cells on your cervix that could turn into cancer over time. That way, problems can be found and treated before they ever turn into cancer. An HPV test may also be used with the Pap test.

If you’re reading this booklet, you have taken the first step to prevent cervical cancer by getting screened.

 

Every year in the United States, about 10,000 women get cervical cancer. But it is the most preventable female cancer with regular screening tests and early treatment.

 

What is HPV?

 

HPV is a common virus. There are about 40 types of HPV that can infect the genitals or sex organs of men and women. HPV is so common that most people get it at some time in their lives. But HPV usually causes no symptoms so you can’t tell that you have it.

 

What can HPV do to my body?

 

HPV can infect the genital areas in different ways:

  • Some HPV types can cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time.
  • Other HPV types can cause Genital Warts in men and women.* But the HPV types that can cause Genital Warts are different from the types that can cause cervical cancer.

Most of the time, HPV goes away by itself within two years and does not cause health problems. It is thought that the immune system fights off HPV naturally. Experts do not know why HPV goes away in most, but not all cases. It is only when HPV stays on a woman’s cervix for many years that it can cause cervical cancer.

 

How could I get HPV?

 

HPV is passed on through genital (skin to skin) contact, most often during vaginal or anal sex. Most people never even know they have HPV, or that they are passing it to their partner. So it may not be possible to know who gave you HPV or when you got it. HPV is so common that most people get it soon after they start having sex. And it may only be found years later.

All women who ever had sex are at risk for HPV and cervical cancer.

 

HPV is NOT the same as HIV (the AIDS virus) or herpes. All of these viruses can be passed on during sex. But they do not cause the same symptoms or health problems.

* For information about Genital Warts, see www.cdc.gov/std/hpv or www.informationonhpv.com/category/genital-warts/

 

 

Cervical Cancer Screening Tests

 

You can prevent cervical cancer with regular screening tests, like the Pap test. An HPV test can also be used with the Pap test. These tests are often done at the same time.

Since cervical cancer often does not cause symptoms until it is advanced, it is important to get screened even when you feel healthy.

 

The Pap and HPV tests look for different things:

 

 

The Pap Test

 

 

Checks your cervix for abnormal cells that could turn into cervical cancer.

 

 

The HPV Test

 

 

Checks your cervix for the virus (HPV) that can cause abnormal cells and cervical cancer.

 

 

The Pap and HPV tests can find early problems that could lead to cervical cancer over time. These tests do NOT:

 

  • Check for early signs of other cancers
  • Check your fertility (ability to get pregnant)
  • Check for all HPV types – There are many types of HPV. The HPV test only checks for specific HPV types that are linked to cervical cancer
  • Check for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

 

Do experts recommend getting the HPV test with the Pap test?

 

The HPV test is not recommended by all expert organizations. But some organizations do recommend it for certain women if:

You don’t need to ask your doctor for an HPV test. Your doctor should offer you an HPV test if you need it and it is available in their practice.

 

Why is the HPV test NOT recommended for younger women and teens?

 

HPV is very common in women under age 30. But it is not useful to test young women for HPV, since most HPV that is found in these women will never cause them health problems. Most young women will fight off HPV within a few years.

HPV is less common in women over the age of 30. HPV is also more likely to signal a health problem for these women, who may have had the virus for many years. Doctors may use the HPV test to tell if these women are more likely to get cervical cancer in the future, and if they need to be screened more often.

Getting regular Pap tests, even without the HPV test, is still a good way to prevent cervical cancer—for both younger and older women.

In the U.S., cervical cancer is rare in women in their 20s. It is much more common in women over 30. More than 16 out of every 100,000 women ages 40-44 will get cervical cancer each year. Less than 2 out of every 100,000 women ages 20-24 will get cervical cancer each year.

 

What Does My Pap Test Result Mean?

 

Your Pap test will come back as either “normal,” “unclear,” or “abnormal.”

 

Normal

 

 

A normal (or “negative”) result means that no cell changes were found on your cervix. This is good news. But you still need to get Pap tests in the future. New cell changes can still form on your cervix.

 

 

Unclear

 

 

It is common for test results to come back unclear. Your doctor may use other words to describe this result, like: equivocal, inconclusive, or ASC-US. These all mean the same thing: that your cervical cells look like they could be abnormal. It is not clear if it’s related to HPV. It could be related to life changes like pregnancy, menopause, or an infection. The HPV test can help find out if your cell changes are related to HPV.

 

 

Abnormal

 

 

An abnormal result means that cell changes were found on your cervix. This usually does not mean that you have cervical cancer.

 

Abnormal changes on your cervix are likely caused by HPV. The changes may be minor (low-grade) or serious (high-grade). Most of the time, minor changes go back to normal on their own. But more serious changes can turn into cancer if they are not removed. The more serious changes are often called “precancer” because they are not yet cancer, but they can turn into cancer over time. It is important to make sure these changes do not get worse.

In rare cases, an abnormal Pap test can show that you may have cancer. You will need other tests to be sure. The earlier you find cervical cancer, the easier it is to treat.

 

 

If your Pap test results are unclear or abnormal, you will likely need more tests so your doctor can tell if your cell changes could be related to cancer.

It is estimated that each year in the U.S., over 3,000,000 women get unclear or abnormal Pap tests. About 10,000 of these women will actually have cervical cancer. Most women with unclear or abnormal Pap tests do not have cancer. But many of these women may have abnormal cells that need to be treated so that they do not turn into cancer in the future. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice for more tests or treatment.

 

Making Sense of Your Pap and HPV Test Results

 

 

patient and physician
“I see my doctor each year for a Pap test. This year, my doctor told me the test was abnormal. He also said I have HPV. I was confused. What does this mean?”

 

It can be confusing to get your Pap and HPV test results at the same time.

 

Your HPV test will come back as either “positive” or “negative”:

  • A negative HPV test means you do not have an HPV type that is linked to cervical cancer.
  • A positive HPV test means you do have an HPV type that may be linked to cervical cancer. This does not mean you have cervical cancer now. But it could be a warning.

HPV test results are only meaningful WITH your Pap test results. To understand what these tests mean together:

 

 

 

If your HPV Test is Negative (normal), and your Pap test is:
Normal This means:

 

  • you do not have HPV
  • your cervical cells are normal
  • you have a very low chance of getting cervical cancer in the next few years.

You should:

  • wait three years before getting your next Pap and HPV test
  • ask your doctor when to come in for your next visit.

Experts used to suggest yearly Pap tests. But now you can wait longer because having the HPV test with your Pap test gives you extra peace of mind.

 

Unclear This means:

 

  • you do not have HPV, but your Pap test was unclear
  • even if you do have cell changes, it is unlikely that they are caused by HPV (or related to cervical cancer).

You should:

  • get another Pap test in a year just to be sure. You may also get an HPV test at that time.
Abnormal This means:

 

  • your Pap test found abnormal cells
  • your HPV test did not find HPV.

It’s important to find out why the two tests are showing different things.

For minor cell changes, your doctor will:

  • take a closer look at your cervix to decide next steps.

For major cell changes, your doctor will:

  • take a closer look at your cervix and/or treat you right away.

 

 

 

 

If your HPV Test is Positive (abnormal), and your Pap test is:
Normal This means:

 

  • your cervical cells are normal, but you have HPV.

You may fight off HPV naturally and never get cell changes. Or, you may not fight off HPV, and HPV could cause cell changes in the future.

Most women fight off HPV within two years. It is not known why some women fight off HPV and others do not.

You should:

  • get another Pap test and HPV test in a year.

Cell changes happen slowly. Some time must pass before your doctor can tell if HPV will go away or cause cell changes.

 

Unclear This means:

 

  • you have HPV, but your Pap test was unclear.

You doctor will:

  • take a closer look at your cervix to find out if your cells are abnormal.

Your doctor may need to remove the abnormal cells or follow up with you over time to make sure the cells do not get worse.

 

Abnormal This means:

 

  • you have HPV
  • your cervical cells are abnormal

This does not usually mean you have cancer.

For minor cell changes, your doctor will:

  • take a closer look at your cervix to decide next steps.

For major cell changes, your doctor will:

  • take a closer look at your cervix and/or treat you right away.

 

If I have HPV, do I have cervical cancer?

 

No, HPV is not the same as cervical cancer. HPV is the virus that can cause cervical cancer. Many women have HPV. Few of them get cervical cancer if they follow their doctor’s advice for more testing and/or treatment.

 

What will happen if I need to come back for more testing?

 

Your doctor will do what’s right for you, based on your test results. Your doctor may:

  • Ask you to wait before re-doing the Pap and/or HPV test. This is called “watchful waiting.” It is common.
  • Take a closer look at your cervix. This is done using a special lens that makes your cervical cells look bigger (called a colposcopy).
  • Take a small sample of your cervix (biopsy) to study it more carefully.
  • Treat you. This involves killing or taking out the abnormal cells. These treatments may be uncomfortable, but they can be done during one visit to your doctor.
  • Refer you to a specialist. This might happen if your test results suggest that you may have cancer.

 

Why wait for more tests if I could have cancer?

 

It is possible that your cell changes will never turn into cancer. They may go back to normal on their own. But cervical cells change very slowly. Some time must pass before your doctor can tell if your cells need treatment. Since treatment can have risks and side effects, it is best to make sure you really need it. Be patient. Go back to your doctor for all appointments and testing—to make sure your cell changes do not get worse.

 

Remember: Many women get HPV or abnormal Pap tests. But few of them get cervical cancer—as long as they get the tests and treatments their doctor recommends. Most times, problems that are found can be treated before they ever turn into cervical cancer.

 

What else can I do to prevent cervical cancer?

 

  • Keep your next doctor’s appointment. Mark your calendar or post a note on your fridge, so you remember it.
  • Go back for more testing or treatment if your doctor tells you to.
  • Keep getting regular Pap tests—at least once every three years.
  • Do not smoke. Smoking harms all of your body’s cells, including your cervical cells. If you smoke and have HPV, you have higher chances of getting cervical cancer. If you smoke, ask your doctor for help quitting.

 

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

 

How do I know if I got an HPV test?

When and how should I expect to get my test results?

What do my test results mean?

What other tests or treatment will I need if my Pap or HPV test is abnormal?

When do I need to come back for more testing or treatment?

What should I expect during and after these tests or treatments?

Are there risks or side effects?

Will the testing or treatment affect my chance to get or stay pregnant?

Will the added tests or treatment be covered by my insurance?

Where can I get help to cover the costs?

Be sure to ask your doctor about anything you don’t understand.

 

couple

 

 

How do I talk to my partner about HPV?

 

You and your partner may benefit from talking openly about HPV. You can tell your partner that:

  • HPV is very common. It can infect the genital areas of both men and women. It usually has no signs or symptoms and goes away on its own.
  • Most sexually active people get HPV at some time in their lives, though most will never know it. Even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV, if their partner had it.
  • There is no test yet for men to find out if they have HPV. But the most common health problem caused by HPV in men is genital warts. The type of HPV found on your HPV test can cause cervical cancer in women; it does not cause genital warts.
  • Partners who have been together for a while tend to share HPV. This means that your partner likely has HPV already, even though your partner may have no signs or symptoms.
  • Having HPV does not mean that you or your partner is having sex outside of your relationship. There is no sure way to know when you got HPV or who gave it to you. A person can have HPV for many years before it is found.

If your sex partner is female, you should talk to her about the link between HPV and cervical cancer, and encourage her to get a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer.

 

Common Questions about HPV

 

 

Is there a treatment for HPV or abnormal cells?

 

There is no treatment for HPV (a virus). But there are treatments for abnormal cervical cells, which can be killed or removed. Treating abnormal cells will stop them from growing into cancer. But it may not remove the virus (HPV). That’s why it’s important to go back to your doctor as told, to make sure abnormal cells do not grow back. You may need to get Pap tests more often for a while. But most people do eventually fight the virus off.

 

Does having HPV or abnormal cervical cells affect my chances of getting pregnant or having healthy babies?

 

Having HPV or cell changes on your cervix does not make it harder to get or stay pregnant. The type of HPV that is linked to cancer should not affect the health of your future babies. But if you need treatment for your cell changes, the treatment could affect your chance of having babies, in rare cases. If you need treatment, ask your doctor if the treatment can affect your ability to get pregnant or have a normal delivery.

 

couple Will I pass HPV to my current partner?

 

If you have been with your partner for a while, your partner likely has HPV too. But your partner likely has no signs or symptoms of HPV. Partners usually share HPV, until your bodies fight it off naturally. There is no way to know if your partner gave you HPV, or if you gave HPV to your partner.

 

Can I prevent passing HPV to a new partner?

 

Condoms may lower your chances of passing HPV to your new partner, if used all the time and the right way. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom—so condoms may not fully protect against HPV. The only sure way to prevent passing HPV to a new partner is to not have sex.

 

Can my male partner get tested for HPV?

 

Right now, there is no HPV test for men. HPV is just as common in men as in women, but it is easier to find in women. The types of HPV that put you at risk for cervical cancer rarely cause health problems for most men.

 

I heard about an HPV vaccine. Can it help me?

 

An HPV vaccine is now recommended for 11-12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for women up to age 26 if they did not get the vaccine when they were younger. The vaccine protects against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. But it does not treat existing HPV, cervical cell changes, or genital warts. It will be most effective in females who have not yet had sex since they are unlikely to have HPV. The vaccine has recently been tested with women older than 26 years. It may one day be available to these women, if it is found to be safe and effective for them. Even women who got the vaccine when they were younger need regular cervical cancer screening because the vaccine does not protect against all cervical cancers.

 

If I’ve had a hysterectomy, do I still need to get screened for cervical cancer?

 

This depends on why you got your hysterectomy, and if you still have your cervix. If you got a total hysterectomy for reasons other than cancer, you may not need cervical cancer screening. Talk to your doctor to find out if you still need to get screened.

Other Posts from around the Web:

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The HIV/AIDS and HPV Issues – Manifestations of the Spiritual … – The HIV/AIDS and HPV Issues – Manifestations of the Spiritual Conflict Between Evolutionary. and Counter-Evolutionary Forces. As my next few podcasts will be with AIDS dissidents here is an esoteric perspective on this subject. …

Extension of the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination programme … – This Dear colleague letter provides information about the extension of the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination programme to young women aged 17-18, and the additional finance to support the implementation of the programme. …

HPV Vaccine Causes Public Concern despite FDA/CDC Support – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has documented more than 9700 adverse events related to HPV vaccine, as of June 30, 2008 – numbers than are causing public concern. The vaccine, approved two years ago has resulted in “side …

HPV > SUV – HPV > SUV. You do the math.

Gardasil, the HPV Vaccine, Is Safe, Says FDA and CDC – It’s good news to hear that an approved vaccine, Gardasil (the vaccine against HPV, Human Papilloma Virus) is still safe to use, as reported in this Reuters news article, "US FDA, CDC back Merck’s Gardasil shot as safe. …

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HPV Vaccines Based on "Scientific Fraud" – Archived documents discovered at the US Food and Drug Administration’s website reveal the agency knew in 2003 that HPV infections did not cause cervical cancer. Despite that knowledge, the FDA has continued to support the use of the …

Herpes Genital

July 26, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment 

 

¿Qué es el herpes genital?

El herpes genital es una enfermedad de transmisión sexual (ETS) causada por los virus del herpes simple tipo 1 (HSV-1) y tipo 2 (HSV-2). La mayoría de los herpes genitales son causados por el tipo HSV-2. La mayoría de las personas con HSV-1 o HSV-2 no presentan signos ni síntomas de la infección o presentan síntomas mínimos. Si se presentan signos, éstos usualmente aparecen en forma de ampolla o ampollas en los genitales o el recto o alrededor de los mismos. Las ampollas se rompen y dejan úlceras dolorosas (llagas) que pueden tardar de dos a cuatro semanas en curarse la primera vez que se presentan. Típicamente, puede presentarse otro brote semanas o meses después del primero, pero casi siempre es menos intenso y de más corta duración. A pesar de que la infección puede permanecer en forma indefinida en el organismo, la cantidad de brotes tiende a disminuir a medida que pasan los años.

¿Qué tan común es el herpes genital?

Los resultados de un estudio representativo a nivel nacional revelan que el herpes genital es de frecuente ocurrencia en los Estados Unidos. Nacionalmente, por lo menos 45 millones de personas de 12 años en adelante o uno de cada cinco adolescentes y adultos ha tenido una infección de HSV. Entre finales de 1970 y principios de 1990, se incrementó en un 30 por ciento el número de estadounidenses con la infección del herpes genital.

La infección por HSV-2 genital es más frecuente en las mujeres (aproximadamente una de cada cuatro mujeres) que entre los hombres (casi uno de cada cinco). Esto puede deberse a que es más probable que ocurra la transmisión de hombre a mujer que la transmisión de mujer a hombre.

¿Cómo se contrae el herpes genital?

El HSV-1 y el HSV-2 pueden encontrarse en las úlceras causadas por los virus y ser liberados por las mismas, pero entre brote y brote los virus también pueden ser liberados por la piel que no parece afectada o que no tiene úlceras. Por lo general, una persona solo puede infectarse con el HSV-2 durante el contacto sexual con alguien que tiene una infección por HSV-2 genital. La transmisión puede darse a partir de una pareja sexual infectada que no tiene una úlcera visible y que no sepa que está infectada.

El HSV-1 puede causar herpes genital, pero más frecuentemente causa infecciones de la boca y los labios, también llamadas “ampollas febriles”. La infección por HSV-1 en los genitales puede ser causada por contacto oral-genital o contacto genital-genital con una persona que tiene la infección por HSV-1. Los brotes del HSV-1 genital reaparecen con menos regularidad que los brotes del HSV-2 genital.

¿Cuáles son los signos y síntomas del herpes genital?

La mayoría de personas infectadas con el HSV-2 no saben que tienen la infección. Sin embargo, si se presentan signos y síntomas durante el primer brote, éstos pueden ser bastante pronunciados. El primer brote ocurre generalmente dentro de las dos semanas siguientes a la transmisión del virus y las úlceras se curan típicamente dentro de dos a cuatro semanas. Otros signos y síntomas durante el episodio primario pueden incluir una segunda serie de úlceras y síntomas parecidos a la gripe, entre ellos fiebre e inflamación de las glándulas. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las personas con la infección por HSV-2 puede que nunca tengan úlceras o pueden tener signos muy leves de los cuales ni siquiera se dan cuenta o que confunden con picaduras de insectos o con otra afección de la piel.

La mayoría de las personas a quienes se les ha diagnosticado un primer episodio de herpes genital pueden esperar tener varios (típicamente cuatro o cinco) brotes (recurrencias sintomáticas) en un período de un año. Por lo general, estas recurrencias disminuyen en frecuencia a medida que pasa el tiempo.

¿Cuáles son las complicaciones del herpes genital?

El herpes genital puede causar la presencia repetida de dolorosas úlceras genitales en muchos adultos y la infección del herpes puede ser grave en personas con sistemas inmunodeprimidos. Sean severos o no los síntomas, el herpes genital causa con frecuencia sufrimiento psicológico en las personas que saben que están infectadas.

Adicionalmente, el HSV genital puede causar infecciones potencialmente mortales en los bebés. Es importante que las mujeres eviten contraer el herpes durante el embarazo porque la ocurrencia de un primer episodio durante el embarazo provoca un mayor riesgo de que el virus sea transmitido al bebé. Si una mujer tiene herpes genital activo al momento del parto, se realiza por lo general un parto por cesárea. Afortunadamente, es muy poco frecuente que un bebé sea infectado por una mujer que tiene herpes.

El herpes puede contribuir a la propagación del VIH, el virus que causa el SIDA. El herpes puede hacer que las personas se vuelvan más susceptibles a la infección por VIH y puede hacer que las personas infectadas por el VIH sean más infecciosas.

¿Cómo se diagnostica el herpes genital?

Los signos y síntomas asociados al HSV-2 pueden variar ampliamente. Los proveedores de atención médica pueden diagnosticar el herpes genital mediante una inspección visual si el brote es típico y mediante la obtención de una muestra de la úlcera o de las úlceras que se envía para un análisis de laboratorio. Puede ser difícil diagnosticar las infecciones por HSV si no hay un brote (entre brotes). Los exámenes de sangre, que detectan la infección por HSV-1 o del VSH-2, pueden ser útiles, aunque los resultados no son siempre muy claros.

¿Hay tratamiento para el herpes?

No existe un tratamiento que pueda curar el herpes, pero los medicamentos antivirales pueden acortar y prevenir los brotes durante el tiempo que la persona tome los medicamentos. Adicionalmente, la terapia supresiva diaria contra el herpes sintomático puede reducir la posibilidad de transmisión a las parejas sexuales de las personas infectadas.

¿Cómo puede prevenirse el herpes?

La manera más segura de evitar el contagio de enfermedades de transmisión sexual, incluido el herpes genital, es absteniéndose del contacto sexual o tener una relación duradera, mutuamente monógama, con una pareja a quien se le han hecho las pruebas y se sabe que no está infectada.

Las úlceras genitales pueden aparecer tanto en las áreas genitales masculinas como en las femeninas, estén o no cubiertas o protegidas con un condón de látex. El uso correcto y habitual de los condones de látex puede reducir el riesgo de contraer herpes genital, solamente si el área infectada o el área de posible contacto está protegida. Debido a que es posible que el condón no pueda cubrir todas las áreas infectadas, ni siquiera el uso correcto y habitual de los condones de látex puede garantizar la protección contra el herpes genital.

Las personas con herpes deben abstenerse de tener relaciones sexuales con parejas sexuales no infectadas cuando haya lesiones u otros síntomas del herpes. Es importante saber que aunque la persona no tenga síntomas, todavía puede infectar a sus parejas sexuales. Se les debe advertir a las parejas sexuales de las personas infectadas que también pueden resultar infectadas. Las parejas sexuales pueden hacerse pruebas para determinar si están infectadas con el HSV. Una prueba de detección del HSV-2 cuyos resultados sean positivos indica que lo más probable es que haya una infección de herpes genital.

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