People are becoming increasingly aware of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) called Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. There are known to be more than seventy different types of the virus, which are classified as either low risk or high risk. The low risk types of the virus are known to cause genital warts, while the high risk types of the virus are known to cause cervical cancer. While it is more rare than cervical cancer, HPV can also cause penile cancer and anal cancer.
Why are HPV Infections so Common?
There are many gynecologists who claim that at least one out of every four girls who visit their offices have been infected by HPV. Many have wondered why HPV infections are so common. There are two main reasons which are believed to be held accountable.
One of the main reasons that HPV is so easy to spread is because it is spread through direct skin to skin contact, rather than through vaginal fluids or semen. In many instances, condoms do not offer the complete protection which is needed to avoid contracting HPV from someone who has already been infected with the virus.
Another one of the main reasons that HPV infections are so common is because many people do not even know that they have the virus. There is currently no test available to find out if men have been infected with the virus. The only way that they will usually know is if they develop genital warts from low risk HPV or if their sexual partner has HPV. Aside from genital warts, there are not any known symptoms of HPV.
Is There Any Way to Prevent HPV?
While condoms may not offer complete protection against HPV, it is important to make sure that you still use them if you want to prevent yourself from becoming infected by the virus. There are many cases in which condoms will protect you from getting HPV and every little bit of protection helps.
Gardasil is a vaccine which is designed to protect you from contracting the four most common types of HPV which lead to cervical cancer. It has shown to be very effective. While many people feel that they should not get it for their children because it will encourage them to have sexual intercourse at a very early age, it is recommended by doctors. Gardasil is known to be a good idea for anyone who has not yet been infected by HPV.
Can HPV Be Cured?
If you have already been infected by HPV, one of the main questions that you may have is whether or not it can be cured. This is a very common question among people who have contracted the virus. Unfortunately, it is also not the easiest question to answer.
Cell changes which occur on the cervix due to HPV, which may lead to cervical cancer, can be treated. Genital warts that are caused by HPV can also be treated. However, there is currently no known cure for the actual Human Papilloma Virus.
There is a lot of controversy about whether or not people who are infected with HPV will have it for life. Many medical experts believe that eventually the virus leaves the body. The more popular belief is that the immune system will suppress the virus to the point where it is not able to be detected in the body. No matter what the case is, many people who become infected with HPV are known to show sign of having the virus in their system later on.
What Should You Do to Encourage HPV to “Leave”?
The main determining factor of how quickly HPV will “leave” your body is your immune system. This is the main reason that is such a popular belief that your immune system will suppress the virus so that it cannot be detected in the body at all over time. Some factors are known to prolong the amount of time that your body shows signs of the virus and increase the amount of outbreaks that you experience due to the Human Papilloma Virus, such as reoccurring genital warts. These factors include smoking, an unhealthy diet and a poor amount of physical activity. By eating right, exercising and not smoking, you may be able to help encourage HPV to “leave” your body.
