Human Papiloma Virus - Important information
Did you know that approximately 50% of people who are sexually active in the United States will, at one time or another, contract human papiloma virus (HPV)?
Did you know that there are two particular strains of Human Papiloma Virus that are known to be responsible for causing almost all incidences of cervical cancer?
In other words, if you are a sexually active male infected with human papiloma virus, there's a chance that any female sexual partner you have will contract cervical cancer - a disease that can result in the need for a hysterectomy or death.
Not nice to think about, is it?
Human Papiloma Virus is a disease that often displays no visible symptoms. That means that if you are infected with HPV you can be completely unaware that you may be passing on the virus every time you have sex. The bad news is that there is also evidence that using protection and practicing safe sex (condoms) does little to prevent the virus from spreading.
You can be sure that you are infected with human papiloma virus is if you notice warts appear anywhere on your genitals. Genital warts are one of the only visible symptoms of the virus. (If you've got them, find out how to get rid of them here.)
Genital warts are only caused by a small percentage of the hundred or so strains of HPV. If there is any upside to an outbreak of genital warts, it's that the strain of human papiloma virus that causes genital warts is not the same strain that causes cervical cancer. Warts are easily spread however, and it's easy to pass them on to your sexual partners.
While we're on the subject, it's necessary to point out that there is no screening test for men to detect whether or not they are carriers of human papiloma virus. For women the only way to be sure whether or not you are infected with the virus is to regularly schedule a pelvic exam and pap smear.
So let's summarize: if you're a sexually active male there's a small chance that you are carrying a virus that could be fatal to any female sexual partner you have. Not only that, but there's no way of telling whether or not you have it! If you're a sexually active female there's a chance that anyone with whom you have sex is carrying a virus that has the potential, left unchecked, to kill you, or at very least, render you infertile.
What does this mean? It means that you should encourage any sexually active female you know, whatever her age to make sure she schedules a regular pelvic exam and pap smear - Her life may depend upon it!
Above all, ensure that all the women in your life that you care about are informed about HPV and the need to be vigilant.
If you have an outbreak of genital warts of you believe that you may be infected with HPV, there are remedies available to help you relieve and alleviate the symptoms without resorting to harsh chemicals. One such product is viratrol
