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HPV
Cancer
There are
more than 20 million reported men and women infected with
the human
papillomavirus (HPV) in the United States alone.
The Center for Disease Control states that the number is
much higher due to the fact that a large number of
infected people are unaware they have HPV. Usually a
person will start showing some signs or symptoms within 3
weeks to 6 months, but in some cases it can take up to 5
years. HPV is at an epidemic level world- wide causing
HPV cancer it is the most common sexually transmitted
disease.
Low risk
HPV infection types 6 and 11 will cause the common warts
that will appear on the hands of children, which will
usually disappear on their own. High risk types 16 and 18
HPV infections are classified as sexually transmitted
diseases (STD) these may cause many types HPV cancer.
Cervical
cancer is caused 75% of the time by an HPV cancer
infection thousands of women die in around the world each
year from this disease. Women that become infected with
HPV will usually have warts appear around the vulva, near
the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina. Health care
providers suggest that women that have multiple partners
have a (Pap test) once a year to check for HPV and other
(STD). When abnormal cell are found there is a danger of
HPV cancer.
Men
should also see their health care provider once a year if
they have multiple partners they are also in danger of HPV
cancer. As yet a test to diagnosis HPV and other STDs does
not exist for men, but a health care provider may find
warts and signs of HPV infection when carefully examining
a patient’s penis and anal area. When there are signs of
HPV infection men will find warts may around the penis,
anus and scrotum warts may also appear on the thighs.
When
warts appear they will be pink to flesh colored, flat or a
raised bump some will be tiny steam- like protrusions the
warts may also appear as a cauliflower –like cluster. If
you think you have been exposed to HPV infection or you
are having some symptoms, call your health care provider
immediately to be tested.
Both men
and women need to be aware that each time they are
sexually active with a new partner they are exposing
themselves to any STD that partner might have. Men and
women in multiple sexual relationships are also exposed to
every partner that the new partner has been with over the
past 5 years and their HPV SDT infections.
As yet a cure for HPV has not been found,
but there are treatments available to help you control
outbreaks.
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