HPV, the human papillomavirus is the virus that causes warts. It may surprise you to learn that despite the presence or absence of these formations, the HPV virus likely never goes away once you have been exposed and contracted it. Still worse is the fact that warts on your hands and feet are not the most common locations for such growths. In fact, if you are sexually active, there is an ever increasing concern that you may have already contracted a form of HPV without knowing it.
Known as the "silent infection", HPV has now been linked to certain newly diagnosed cases of cancer of the tonsil believed to have been contracted via oral sex. This is especially alarming as more and more females across the United States are being diagnosed with HPV via yearly Pap smear testing.
Most Commonly Contracted & Diagnosed STD in United States
In past years mere mention of a term, human papillomavirus, raised eyebrows among the enlightened few. Yet, far too many remain unaware of the real health issues linked to this condition. The term actually refers to a group of 100 DNA viruses that can and often do lead to the formation of warts or papillomas. These skin and tissue growths are in reality benign tumors. While it is a common condition associated with childhood development, for example warts on hands and feet or other parts of the body. There are about 40 types of HPV which can and do infect skin and tissues in the genital areas after skin-to-skin exposure during sexual activity. Obviously, conversations of such an intimate nature are typically considered taboo and reserved for more appropriate settings such as those protected by doctor/patient confidentiality. Recent findings among medical professionals link this HPV virus to a far more sinister medical condition of throat cancer.
If you think this is a matter that can not possibly be of concern for you, it is time to think again. It is estimated nearly one out of four females between the ages of 14 and 59 in the United States are infected with HPV. If you are a female in this age range, you have better than an 80 percent chance of becoming infected during your lifetime. In fact, genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Each year approximately 6.2 million people become newly infected. And, the situation is becoming increasingly more widespread. It is estimated college age men and sexually active school age males are contracting the HPV virus at increasing rates.
Obviously if you contract a disease you would not hesitate to visit your doctor, right? The problem with the Human Papillomavirus is more often than not an individual has no idea how or from why they have become infected. Known as the "silent infection", individuals exposed or infected often remain unaware because the virus tends to "go away" on its own after one or two years. However, there are about 15 types of HPV that cause illness and are classified as low or high-risk HPV types. These infections tend to persist for many years and it is now shown that what was once believed to be "benign tumors" are developing into cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus.
In 2007, a number of medical cases have directly linked newly diagnosed cancer of the tonsil to a similar sexual exposure to HPV thru a sexual activity known as oral sex. Realistically, females and gay males run a higher risk of developing this form of cancer due to insertion of the penis into the oral cavity.
Get Tested
Women are usually diagnosed with HPV infections by way of microscopic evidence obtained during an annual Pap smear. Your physician can usually determine the presence of abnormal cells with no problem upon microscopic inspection. Further, there is an HPV test which can be performed on cervical cells to determine the type of viral DNA present.
Unfortunately, there is no HPV test currently available for men. This lack of gender testing further illustrates how easily this condition goes undetected and is passed along.
New Line of Defense against HPV
A sort of immunization is now available in the recently released vaccine manufactured by Merck. The Gardasil vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in females between the ages of 9 and 26 years of age. The vaccine is believed to prevent two types of HPV that cause 90 percent of genital warts and 70 percent of cervical cancers. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend girls between 11 and 12 years of age receive three shots over six months.
The federal government has created a program called Vaccines for Children which will provide free vaccinations for girls younger than age 19 who are uninsured, on Medicaid or do not have health insurance. The reason for vaccinating young girls and women is to reach them prior to their becoming sexually active and having been exposed. Obviously, there is far less benefit to the vaccine if a person has already been infected.
Current trials are underway to determine whether or not the vaccine will work on men and older or already exposed women. It remains a matter of wait and see what results the studies yield. Until such time as there is a better option, it is definitely healthier to practice safe sex to guard against unwitting and unknown exposure to not only HPV but other STDs. At present, condoms are the single best protection available to a sexually active individual. Besides, being a serious health risk, the sharing of bodily fluids lasts only a minimal amount of time in respect to a life time of HPV infection that might one day even evolve into cancer and take your life. Be safe, not sorry.
The single best line of defense against HPV exposure is regular use of condoms. Condomman and other online suppliers offer extensive brands and styles of condoms to make the practice of safe sex a necessity for all sexually active adults. Their site contains a wealth of information designed to enlighten readers as to the health risks of unprotected sexual activity. Of course, a better defense is abstinence and/or remaining in a monogamous relationship for your lifetime. These latter options, however, are not as popular or as easy to acquire as purchasing a box of latex condoms. For those embarrassed to purchase your products from local retail stores, you are invited to shop securely and in the privacy of your own home or office. It really makes little if any difference where or how you go about stocking and re-stocking your personal condom supply, the important point is to make sure you always have a fresh supply or hand to protect both yourself and your partner from potential health risks.
