Human Papillomavirus (HPV) affects both females and males. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV transmission can happen with any kind of genital contact with someone currently infected with HPV—intercourse is not necessary. Many people who have HPV aren't aware that they are infected because the virus often has no signs or symptoms. That means you can get the virus or pass it on to your partner without even knowing it. If you don't have any signs or symptoms of HPV, the only way to know if you have HPV is by getting an HPV Test
.
It is important to know that HPV can remain dormant in a person's body for years before it is detected. This means you could have the virus and not show any signs or symptoms for years before it causes damage. That is why regular check ups are mandatory for detection.
(HPV is not the same as herpes or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). These are all viruses that can be passed on during sex, but they cause different symptoms and health problems. HPV is an infection and it can be cleared in people who don't smoke and have healthy immune systems.)
In the United States, it is estimated that 80% of sexually active males and females will be infected with HPV at some time in their life. For most people, the virus will clear up on its own within 6-24 months and not cause any problems. When HPV doesn’t clear up on its own, there can be serious consequences.
There is no way to predict who will or won’t clear the virus. However, there are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV in the United States each year. It’s estimated that 74% of them will occur in 15- to 24-year-olds.
The strains of HPV that causes 70% of cervical cancers are HPV types 16 and 18. These strains often produce no physical symptoms and the only way to detect the infection is by getting a pap smear.
HPV can cause normal cells on infected skin to turn abnormal. Most of the time, you cannot see or feel these cell changes. In most cases, the body fights off HPV naturally and the infected cells then go back to normal. But in cases when the body does not fight off HPV, cell abnormalities can cause infertility and cervical cancer.
Other cancers that can be caused by HPV are less common than cervical cancer. Each year in the U.S., there are about:
There are several ways that people can lower their chances of getting HPV:
The Pap Smear
Early detection is important. Even if you are infected with the virus, if it is detected early enough, it is treatable. However, if HPV goes undetected, it may be harder to get rid of and it could lead to cancer.
If you have an abnormal pap smear, it's okay! But don't let it go. You can work with your doctor to help boost your immune system, undergo a colposcopy to find out how severe the abnormalities are, and continue to be regularly monitored until your body fights off HPV.
Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure. A Pap smear can also detect changes in your cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future. Detecting these cells early with a Pap smear is your first step in halting the possible development of cervical cancer.
You can even get a free pap smear! There is NO EXCUSE to not take steps towards prevention and early detection!
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/HPV-vaccine
The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/MY00090
Coming in contact with HPV is nothing to be ashamed of. You don't have to be promiscuous to come in contact with HPV. The scary part about the virus is that it only takes ONE sexual encounter with an infected person to get the virus, and HPV is as common as the common cold as 80% of the sexually active community either has it or has had it. However, it is very important to diligently get a pap smear every year in order to catch the virus early enough to treat. The development of cervical cancer is about 97% preventable. Please go in and get a check up! As women, our bodies are so fragile. Take charge of your health and your future. Let's fight off this nasty virus and take preventative measures to control it for future generations.
.(HPV is not the same as herpes or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). These are all viruses that can be passed on during sex, but they cause different symptoms and health problems. HPV is an infection and it can be cleared in people who don't smoke and have healthy immune systems.)
In the United States, it is estimated that 80% of sexually active males and females will be infected with HPV at some time in their life. For most people, the virus will clear up on its own within 6-24 months and not cause any problems. When HPV doesn’t clear up on its own, there can be serious consequences.
There is no way to predict who will or won’t clear the virus. However, there are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV in the United States each year. It’s estimated that 74% of them will occur in 15- to 24-year-olds.
The strains of HPV that causes 70% of cervical cancers are HPV types 16 and 18. These strains often produce no physical symptoms and the only way to detect the infection is by getting a pap smear.
HPV can cause normal cells on infected skin to turn abnormal. Most of the time, you cannot see or feel these cell changes. In most cases, the body fights off HPV naturally and the infected cells then go back to normal. But in cases when the body does not fight off HPV, cell abnormalities can cause infertility and cervical cancer.
Other cancers that can be caused by HPV are less common than cervical cancer. Each year in the U.S., there are about:
- 3,700 women who get vulvar cancer
- 1,000 women who get vaginal cancer
- 1,000 men who get penile cancer
- 2,700 women and 1,700 men who get anal cancer
- 2,300 women and 9,000 men who get head and neck cancers. [Note: although HPV is associated with some of head and neck cancers, most of these cancers are related to smoking and heavy drinking.]
- Vaccines can protect males and females against some of the most common types of HPV. These vaccines are given in three shots. It is important to get all three doses to get the best protection. The vaccines are most effective when given before a person's first sexual contact, when he or she could be exposed to HPV.
- Girls and women: Two vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil) are available to protect females against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. One of these vaccines (Gardasil) also protects against most genital warts. Both vaccines are recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls, and for females 13 through 26 years of age, who did not get any or all of the shots when they were younger. These vaccines can also be given to girls as young as 9 years of age. It is recommended that females get the same vaccine brand for all three doses, whenever possible.
- Boys and men: One available vaccine (Gardasil) protects males against most genital warts. This vaccine is available for boys and men, 9 through 26 years of age.
- HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom - so condoms may not fully protect against HPV.
- People can also lower their chances of getting HPV by being in a faithful relationship with one partner; limiting their number of sex partners; and choosing a partner who has had no or few prior sex partners. But even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV. And it may not be possible to determine if a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected. The only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.
There are several ways that people can lower their chances of getting HPV:
The Pap Smear
Early detection is important. Even if you are infected with the virus, if it is detected early enough, it is treatable. However, if HPV goes undetected, it may be harder to get rid of and it could lead to cancer.
If you have an abnormal pap smear, it's okay! But don't let it go. You can work with your doctor to help boost your immune system, undergo a colposcopy to find out how severe the abnormalities are, and continue to be regularly monitored until your body fights off HPV.
Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure. A Pap smear can also detect changes in your cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future. Detecting these cells early with a Pap smear is your first step in halting the possible development of cervical cancer.
You can even get a free pap smear! There is NO EXCUSE to not take steps towards prevention and early detection!
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/HPV-vaccine
The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/MY00090
Coming in contact with HPV is nothing to be ashamed of. You don't have to be promiscuous to come in contact with HPV. The scary part about the virus is that it only takes ONE sexual encounter with an infected person to get the virus, and HPV is as common as the common cold as 80% of the sexually active community either has it or has had it. However, it is very important to diligently get a pap smear every year in order to catch the virus early enough to treat. The development of cervical cancer is about 97% preventable. Please go in and get a check up! As women, our bodies are so fragile. Take charge of your health and your future. Let's fight off this nasty virus and take preventative measures to control it for future generations.