About HPV

With sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as (HPV) being at an epidemic level world-wide you need to educate yourself with as much information about HPV as possible.

There are over 20 million reported cases of HPV in the United States alone for this reason you need to know all about HPV. The Center for disease control estimates the number to be much higher due to the fact that some people are unaware that they are infected with HPV, therefore they are not reported.

Usually 3 weeks to 6 months after becoming infected with HPV you will start to notice signs of the infection. In some cases it might be 5 years before any signs are present this will occur more commonly in men. The longer it takes for a person to become aware of their HPV infection the more likely they are to spread the disease.  One important fact you need to know about HPV is that each time you are sexually active with a new partner you are exposing yourself to any STD that they might have. You are also exposed to any partner that they have been with over the past 5 years.

Information about HPV tells us that the disease is caused by the human papillomavirus, the low risk types 6 and 11 will cause non-cancerous warts like those found on children’s hands. The high risk HPV may cause a number of cancers such as cervical cancer in women.

Women that have multiple sexual partners are in more danger of having cancer caused by their HPV infection, for this reason it is recommended they have a (Pap test) once a year. When the abnormal cancer cells are found and the growths are removed the chances of survival is much greater this is just one more reason you need to know all about HPV.

HPV warts may occur around a woman’s vulva, near her anus in the vagina or on the cervix these warts may appear pink to flesh colored, as a bump or flat and vary in size they may also resemble a cluster of cauliflower like growths. Men will experience outbreaks of these warts on the penis and around the opening, they may also appear around the scrotum and anal areas in some cases the warts may occur on the thighs.

Penetration does not have to take place for an HPV infection to occur, you may become infected through oral and anal sex as well as skin to skin contact with an infected genital area.

While learning about HPV you will find that a cure has not been found as yet, but treatments to help control outbreaks are available through your health care provider. Never use over the counter treatment for HPV without discussing it with your health care provider first, irreversible damage may occur.