How To Prevent HPV Infection
October 26, 2009
It is estimated that nearly half of the sexual active population suffer from HPV infection. HPV is the abbreviation of human papillomavirus. Over hundred different strains of virus belong to this group.
Usually people infected by the HPV virus hardly experience any symptom of the disease. The infection cures naturally, without the infected person realizing that he/she was infected by the HPV virus. However, sometimes certain strains of the virus can produce serious ailments, leading to cancers of the cervix, anus or penis.
How the infection spreads
Nearly 40 strains of the HPV virus spread through sexual contact. These viruses thrive in the moist membrane in the anus and genital area. The HPV infection is sexually transmitted when during sexual intercourse or oral sex, an individual is exposed to the infected body fluids, genital skin and mucous membrane of the partner infected with the disease. HPV viruses denoted by the numbers 16 and 18 are most harmful viruses. Nearly 70 per cent cervical cancers are caused by these two types of HPV virus. Other less harmful HPV viruses cause warts in the genital areas.
HPV infection risks
According to studies, people who have sex at an early age, who have multiple sexual partners or people having sex with a partner who has several sex partners have greater risk of developing HPV infection. Studies have shown than most patients suffering from this infection are between 14 and 19 years of age.
HPV infection symptoms
Appearance of warts in the genital area is the primary symptom of HPV infection. Genital warts have different shapes and sizes. Sometimes they are so small that they are hardly visible. The bigger warts can be raised, flat or cauliflower shaped. They can have flesh like color. There can be single or multiple warts. The warts appear in the cervix, anus, groin, scrotum, penis and thigh areas. Severe HPV infection might cause abnormal changes in the cells of the genital region. If left untreated, the HPV infection might lead to cancerous growths in the genital area.
HPV infection treatment
HPV infection usually heals naturally. However, vaccines are available that can prevent the disease. Women suffering from the infection should undergo routine Pap tests to check any abnormal changes in the cervical cells.
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