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The truth about HPV
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There has been a lot of media coverage recently about HPV and the new vaccine, Gardasil. So is HPV really dangerous? The answer is absolutely yes.
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the virus that causes genital warts. Genital warts are typically small, flesh colored bumps that appear in the genital area.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. The CDC estimates that at least 50% of people who are sexually active will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. There are at least 40 different strains of HPV that can infect the genital area. Even though HPV is common, it is also dangerous. Infection with HPV can cause cervical cancer, anal cancer, and other cancers in the genital area.
Treatment and Prevention
Unfortunately, there is no cure for HPV. Treatment is directed toward removing genital warts and treating cervical and other types of cancer.
Prevention is truly the best weapon against HPV. Consistent condom use reduces the transmission of HPV, however, condoms are not 100% effective. The HPV vaccine is currently approved for women and girls age 11-26. The vaccine protects against the four most common strains of HPV. The reason this vaccine is only approved for this population is because the original clinical trial only included women in this age group. The manufactures of the vaccine are currently researching the effectiveness of this vaccine in other populations, including men and older women.
The next best thing: Early detection
To prevent long term complications of HPV, you should have regular check-ups. For women, the PAP smear remains the gold standard for detecting cervical cancer. During your PAP, ask your doctor to test you for HPV. Some doctors test with every PAP, while others only check for HPV if the test is abnormal. Men and women who have anal sex should have rectal exams to check for genital warts. This is especially important for men who have sex with men and people who are HIV positive, as these populations have an increased risk for HPV complications.
For more information check out: http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
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