subject: Human Papillomavirus Hpv You Can Beat It! [print this page] Frequent Use of Male Condom Can Prevent HPV Infection in Women
Refer to this picture of a 14-year-old girl. Her grandfather sent it to a website as a testimony against the indiscriminate promotion of an HPV vaccine, Gardasil, that some say worsens the infection, making the flare ups more common. There is no relief or medication for the pain, burning and itching, lamented the distressed granddad in his note to the website. The website works against government sponsored terrorism.
Heavy use of Gardasil is in fact is sparking a worldwide protest. The vaccine is believed to be 100% effective but only in preventing two known strains of HPV. Further, since its administered to young girls, parents are concerned it would promote promiscuity in teenagers.
However We Do Need HPV Vaccine
HPV is more than common than we may think. According to the CDC, over 20 million people are presently infected with HPV. About 80% of women get infected before they cross 50. Indeed, over 50% of sexually active people in the US have HPV. HPV genital infection is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases. About one-third HPV virus strains are transmitted through sexual contact.
Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms are warts on the hands and feet, as well as of lesions of the mucous membranes of the oral, anal, and genital cavities. In women, the warts occur on the lips of the vagina, inside the vagina, or around the anus. Anogenital warts may be itchy. Symptoms develop within three weeks to three months after exposure. A study by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported that almost half of the women with HPV had no visible symptoms.
Risk Factors
Smoking
Long-term (over five years) use of oral contraceptives
Some 60 subtypes of HPV strain have been identified, some of which are associated with cancerous and precancerous conditions. Some strains also cause skin warts, others genital warts, which are the most recognizable sign of HPV infection. Other types of HPV are associated with the development of cervical cancer.
The good news however is that despite the co-occurrence of HPV and cervical cancer, most HPV infections resolve spontaneously and DO NOT cause progressive lesions. Cancer develops in only a small percentage of infected patients.
Early Diagnosis is Important
A pelvic exam is necessary to test for and diagnose cervical infection, using Pap smear or other tests. Warts on the skin (face, hand, legs, feet) are diagnosed clinically.
Treatment of Human Papilloma Virus
Common warts on the skin may be treated by freezing (cryosurgery) or salicylic acid products (Occlusal, TransVer-Sal, Duofilm, and Viranol). Recurrences are frequent and laser therapy may be effective in severe cases. Genital warts are often treated with chemicals such as 25 percent podophyllin solution, which is applied to the affected area and washed off after several hours.
Small warts can be removed by freezing (with liquid nitrogen) or burning (electrodesiccation). Imiquimod, a five percent cream that is an interferon inducer, has moderate activity in clearing external genital warts. Surgery is occasionally needed to remove large warts that have not responded to other treatment. Cervical infection and cellular changes may require colposcopy. In some cases, a biopsy of cervical tissue may also be necessary. Depending on the nature of the cervical lesion, cauterization, freezing (cryosurgery), laser, or surgery may be called for.
Prevention
Regular condom use is the best form of prevention.
