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Exploring the Risks of Human Papiloma Virus in Women  

Monday, October 8, 2012

 

Exploring the Risks of Human Papiloma Virus in Women

According to Centers for Disease and Prevention Control, estimated 20 million people are currently infected with human papilomavirus (HPV) in the United States. Moreover, around 12,000 females who are diagnosed with HPV are prone of cervical cancer, there are about 4,000 women die from this disease in the U.S. About 1% of sexually active men and women in the U.S. have genital warts at any given time.

The Origin of Human Papiloma Virus (HPV)
Human Papiloma Virus is a small DNA virus with a genome of approximately 8000 base pairs. According to Women's Health Magazine, these viruses are called papilomavirus because they are likely to cause warts or non-cancerous tumors that may appear randomly on hands, feet, lower genital track, anus and mouth.
Transmission of Human Papiloma Virus (HPV)
E-medTV stressed that HPV is basically transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact especially during a sexual intercourse. The transmission takes place when an infected person rubs the skin of the uninfected person. In addition, almost all cases of HPV are spread through vaginal or anal intercourse. Transmission of the virus might also happen through oral sex in some rare cases.
Women are at risk of having HPV even through non-penetrating sexual contact. As a matter of fact, many researchers claim that HPV can be transmitted from one hand to a partner's reproductive area. Infections spread in the skin without causing any symptoms. Women who are infected by this disease don't know that they have it or that they could spread it. And what even worse, it takes weeks, months or even years for genital warts to appear after sexual relations with an infected person.
Symptoms of Genital Warts
Warts are likely to develop in women's genital around the vulva, vagina and on the cervix. Although genital warts are painless, it can cause annoyance because of their location and size. Genital warts are often itchy and might cause slight bleeding or unusual colored vaginal discharge.
HPV Treatments for Genital Warts
Memphis gynecologists suggest early detection of HPV through a Pap smear procedure to identify infected abnormal cells that triggers cancer. However, the Pap smear itself cannot definitely make sure the diagnosis of HPV infection unless special testing is carried out on the sample obtained from the Pap smear. In some cases, laser treatments, non-prescriptive lotion or gels and surgical procedures are administered for the urgent removal of warts.
Prevention of HPV
According to avert.com, Gardasil and Cervarix are two current vaccines that are used to prevent cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers, and genital warts caused by some of the major sub-types of HPV.
It is very unfortunate to know that up to now, there is currently no "cure" for the virus. The only way you can protect yourself is by practicing abstinence and safe sex. In addition, healthy living will also boost your defenses against HPV so make sure that you will include nutritious food that contains anti-oxidants in your daily diet plans.

  

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