Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Human Papilloma Virus, otherwise known as HPV, is the most common STD in the world. Currently, There are more than 100 different types of HPV, and over 40 of those can affect the genital areas, including the inside and outside of the vagina, the cervix, the penis, and the rectum, as well as the pubic area, the buttocks and the inner thighs.
FACT:
- HPV is VERY contagious. It only takes one touch to contract it.
- Because HPV is so contagious, and because people often do not know they have the disease, it is very possible to contract it, even if you have only had one sexual partner.
- 1 in 4 people in the United States currently has a form of HPV. 50%-75% of all sexually active men and women in the U.S. will come in contact with at least 1 form of HPV in their lifetime.
- HPV cannot be seen. Even if a person has genital warts, the warts are not always visible to the naked eye.
- Condoms DO NOT protect against HPV. Because the HPV infection can lay somewhere outside of what a condom covers, there is no guarantee that a condom will protect you.
- HPV often has no symptoms, and most people that have HPV do not know it.
- HPV can lay dormant (inactive, undetectable, 'Hide Out") in the body for years. Even if you have had only one sexual partner for many years, it is still possible that you have HPV.
- It is possible to contract more than 1 type of HPV at a time.
- Most types of HPV do not cause health problems, and the immune system can usually fight it off naturally within 2 years, however, certain types of HPV cause serious problems:
- HPV can cause Genital Warts
- HPV can cause Cervical Cancer
- HPV can cause Vulvar (the outer skin - labia - of the vagina), and Penile (the penis) cancer
- HPV can cause Anal cancer
- HPV has no cure, and the serious health problems it can cause, such as genital warts and cancer, also do not have a cure. There are treatments available that can deal with the symptoms of genital warts, but most who have these types of HPV will be stuck with the unpleasant symptoms for the rest of their life. There are treatments for cervical and outer genital cancers, however, they can cause serious health problems and even death.
How Do You Get HPV?
HPV can be spread through any kind of sexual activity, which includes any skin-to-skin or mouth-to-skin genital contact. This includes all forms of intercourse, oral sex, petting, and any skin to skin contact.
HPV can be passed through the sharing of "sex toys"
Certain types of HPV can be passed by sharing towels, washclothes, underwear, razors or any other linen or object that may come in contact with the infected persons genitals.
Women who are pregnant can pass HPV to their child during childbirth. In these case the child may develop RRP, a respiratory HPV infection.
How Can You Tell If You Have HPV?
Other than physical signs, such as warts, or abnormal cells detected by a PAP Smear, there is no way to tell whether or not you have HPV.
If you have a type of HPV that causes Genital Warts, you may experience dryness, itchiness of the genital skin, genital skin changes, genital skin sensitivity, genital skin "tears" or small cuts or lacerations (the "paper cut" effect, and/or visible warts that may be white, pale, or flesh colored bumps. they may be flat or raised, and will feel slightly rough. Some grow separately and others grow in cluster, giving a "cauliflower"-like appearance.
If you have a type of HPV that causes cervical or genital cancer, you may notice changes in the amount of discharge, or secretions, or the feel or look of the skin, or you may notice no change or symptoms at all. Physically, your cells will begin to form abnormally, but this is not something you will be able to see or feel.
How and Where To Get Tested
WOMEN: The current test that is available for HPV is only available as part of an abnormal PAP screening, and cannot be done independently of an abnormal PAP test. The reason for this, is that, most HPV is harmless and will clear up on its own, so it is not a necessary need to test for an infection that will clear up by itself. Efforts are being made to change this, and to use the test as an early diagnosis tool for cervical cancers, but so far, it is not available.
All women under 18 who are sexually active, as well as ALL women OVER the age of 18 should have a yearly PAP exam at their gynecologist or family physician, in order to screen for abnormal cells. If abnormal cells are found, your gynecologist will run an HPV test.
If you are experiencing any of the external genital skin symptoms mentioned above, or you have found warts, go see your gynecologist. They will be able to diagnose genital warts either by looking at the area or running a few simple skin cultures.
MEN: There is no approved test that exists for men. Most men do not ever develop symptoms from HPV. The only way for a man to be sure he has HPV is if he has visible warts and his Dr. confirms them as genital warts. Dr.'s can diagnose genital warts by looking at the area, or with a few simple skin cultures.
A note:
There are many cases of monogamously married individuals spontaneously developing HPV. This is not a reason to suspect infidelity. Because there is no definative test for HPV in men (and no public test for women), and because HPV is very contagious, very common, and it can lay dormant in the body for many many years (anywhere from 1-30+), you can never be sure who you contracted it from if you are diagnosed. If you or your spouse had any form of sexual contact (does not have to be intercourse) with anyone prior to your marriage, it is possible that you had HPV before you were even together, and simply did not know it.
What Do I Do If I Have HPV?
In most cases HPV will clear up on its own without causing any symptoms, side effects, or problems.
In some cases, HPV causes Genital Warts. If you find a wart, or are experiencing any of the genital skin symptoms listed above, see your Dr. or gynecologist and they can treat the warts. Warts can be treated in multiple different ways, including take home creams, Acid treatments, freezing, burning, laser surgery, or cutting them off. Some people choose to let them go, to see if they clear up on their own. Sometimes the warts will clear up and sometimes they will need treatment. Some are small and some can get rather large and annoying/painful. No treatment is better than the other, and treatment does not necessarily mean that the warts will not come back. often warts will need treated several times before they stop recurring. Some people will have recurrances all their life, despite treatment.
In some cases, HPV causes Cervical cancer. If you recieve an abnormal cell report from your yearly PAP exam, and it is confirmed by testing that you have HPV, your Dr. will direct you in courses of treatment of precancerous or cancerous cells.
GARDASIL
Gardasil is a vaccine, recently developed for girls between the ages of 9 and 26, that protects against the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and other HPV diseases.
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