The Human Papilloma Virus, more commonly known as HPV, is a sexually transmitted infection that affects the skin and the mucus membrane. The Human Papilloma Virus is a group of over 100 viruses, each type having a different effect. The virus itself is not easily detectable. As a result many a time, an infected person is not aware of having caught the virus. You can be carrying the infection for years without knowing it, or experiencing any form of discomfort. However over 40 types of the virus are known to cause genital warts among men and women. These warts infect the skin of the genital area, including the vulva, penis, anus, and cervix.
Human Papilloma Virus is a very common infection. It is estimated that everyone contracts the virus at least once in their lifetime. The virus is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. This includes penetrative and oral sexual contact. Normally, the body is able to fight of the virus within six months of being infected, however, in individuals with weakened immune systems, the infection develops into warts. These warts appear within weeks of the sexual contact in the form of small bumps or a group of bumps on the genital regions. The warts are not cancerous in nature and if left untreated, they will vanish over time. In case of a massive break out of warts, it is best to consult a doctor; do not self diagnose.
The Human Papilloma Virus has also been linked to cancer mainly cervical cancer, and in rare cases, cancer of the penis. This is caused by a high-risk virus. The symptoms of cervical cancer are very hard to catch in its early stages. It is therefore recommended that women get regular checkups. Infected women tend to develop cervical dysplasia, a pre cancerous condition caused by a rapid change in cells. This change can be caught through a routine pap test. Recently a vaccine has been developed targeting four strains of cancer causing HVP. However, this does not cover all the strains, it does not affect women in whom cancer has already been detected, and the vaccine is still in its early stages of implementation.
While there is no viable treatment for the Human Papilloma Virus, there are ointments that can speed up recovery. In extreme cases people opt to surgically remove the warts using freezing and laser therapy. To avoid the virus, maintain clean hygiene and practice safe sex methods.
Author Resource:-
Kevin Pederson, webmaster for home remedies, Home Remedies gives you natural cures to treat daily commonly faced ailments in the comfort of your home. He also writes for other health sites such as yoga, hair-n-skin care and more.
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