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HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
So what is this virus? How is it spread?Can it be cured? How do you protect yourself from it? [Thread]
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
So what is this virus? How is it spread?Can it be cured? How do you protect yourself from it? [Thread]
HPV is so called because of the effects it has on the human skin. The word papilloma refers to the warty growth that may follow after an HPV infection
I've mentioned before that there are different strains of this virus, more than 100 even. There are however those that are much more common than others.
The different strains are also divided into high risk and low risk strains where the high risk ones are known to cause cancer (cervical cancer, penile cancer, throat cancer) and the low risk ones will cause warts which can be treated with medicines or by cutting out
As mentioned, spread is by direct contact. HPV can even cause warts within skin areas anywhere in the body and even nails. Alot more commonly these warts are seen in the genital area and in the throat
In women the high risk strains may cause cervical, vaginal, vulval and anal cancer. Men can develop penile and anal cancer.
A person with healthy immunity can fight off the virus however factors including HIV, diabetes, smoking, poor nutrition can weaken the immune system and make the development of warts and/or cancers more likely
Pap smears can detect the presence of HPV and even identify the different strain. There's no screening used in men as far as I know however if one sees growth on his penis, it may be prudent to have it checked
There are vaccines to protect one from contracting this virus. Currently not yet universally available as far as I know. They may be available upon request in private.
Best time to get these is before one starts having sex however it may be given in the case where it has not yet been contracted. The vaccine itself protects mostly against the high risk virus and the aim is to try reduce the risk of associated cancers
Some Drs will give it in the case of HOV detection but it is not yet known if this foes help to clear the virus.
Scary little fact, most people have probably had HPV infection in their lives which they may have cleared, or not. It takes time before it causes cancer also and may stay there for a while before getting cleared.
I hope this helps
