Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

November 1, 2009 by admin 

The HPV or Human Papilloma Virus is a blanket term for a group of over 60 different related viruses that can invade the skin tissue and produce lesions. It is transmitted from skin-to-skin including sexual contact. The HPV infects cells inside out of the body or it could be the skin surface, the lining of the mouth, tongue, throat, tonsils, vagina, anus, penis or cervix. We have just about covered every part of the human body, right? HPV is deadly. It is the world’s leading STI. Even if you as a woman have never had sex say outside the marriage or you are single and abstinent then you could get it if your mother has been infected. One of the several studies that are usually done has come up with the conclusion that around 14.8 per cent of all the women in this particular study and who have never had intercourse were found to be infected. HPV does not spare men either but it is not usually diagnosed as they do manifest symptoms and it only when HPV erupts as Genital Warts or as anogenital cancer does the truth come out. Transmission of HPV: Through sexual contact but it is also likely that the virus can be transmitted through ways. For instance an infected mother can pass it to her baby. Genital skin contact like fellatio or cunnilingus is also a vector for transmission of the virus. You can know that you are infected: Testing cervical cells is an effective way of identifying the presence of HPVs. But I make it clear that you can have HPV long before it’s found as it usually doesn’t manifest any symptoms. Regular exams and Pap tests will help in knowing about the presence of infection. Treating HPV: First things a HPV test and a Pap test are imperative. There is a Red herring which means the cell changes may heal on their own but you need to be doubly sure. They can be treated by Cryotherapy. In this therapy abnormal cells are freezed with liquid nitrogen. Conization also known as cone biopsy is another way of treatment. It just removes the abnormal areas. LEEP or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is also an effective way of removing abnormal cells with a painless electrical current. Genital Warts can be removed through surgery or laser treatment. The treatment will clear the warts in most of the people. If the warts develop again, you may have to get drug interferon injection. But watch the virus may lie dormant, doggo even after treatment and get right back at with a bang after a period of time. If HPV is left untreated: Why would you want to do that? Either you are a walking time- bomb or an unguided missile depending on your lifestyle or you are being commanded by Osama bin Laden to spread it to as many people as possible. Well this is what you are letting yourself in for; first HPV may cause an abnormal cell to grow on the cervix and this could turn cancerous if left untreated. Genital Warts on the other hand will play hide and seek if not treated or they may grown even bigger and spread so that you can easily get the lead role in the remake of “Swamp Horror.” Cruel? You bet, I am because not only are you at risk but you are putting others at risk. www.asksexpert.com

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