Certain HPV types are classified as "high-risk" because they lead to abnormal cell changes and can cause genital cancers: cervical cancer as well as cancer of the vulva, anus, and penis. In fact, researchers say that virtually all cervical cancers (more than 99%) are caused by these high-risk HPV viruses.
The most common of the high-risk strains of HPV are types 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of all cervical cancers. If the body clears the infection, the cervical cells return to normal. But if the body doesn't clear the infection, the cells in the cervix can continue to change abnormally. This can lead to precancerous changes or cervical cancer.
When infection with high-risk HPV types occurs, there usually are no symptoms. Often, the first clue is a Pap test result that is abnormal. In a Pap test, the doctor takes a swab of cervical cells and has them analyzed in a laboratory. A positive HPV test may not mean a woman needs treatment, at least not immediately.
Having a positive test puts a woman in the "high-risk" class, alerting the doctor that she is at higher risk for cervical tissue changes and may need close evaluation. If the Pap test results are unclear, the doctor may order a HPV test to check the DNA type of the virus. This analysis can identify 13 of the high-risk HPV types associated with cervical cancer.
It does not identify cancer. But it tells the woman and her doctor if she has a type of HPV capable of causing cancer. Researchers have discovered that high-risk HPV viruses produce certain proteins. These proteins interfere with the cell functions that limit excessive cell growth. If abnormal cervical tissue changes progress, treatment of the HPV infection may be needed.
There's only one sure way to eliminate chance of HPV infection: Avoid all genital contact with another person. It's best to have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner. But many people don't know if they're infected. Using condoms can help prevent HPV transmission but are not foolproof. The virus can be transmitted to genital areas not covered by the condom.
A vaccine, Gardasil, was approved for use in 2006 for use in girls and women aged 9 to 26. Eventually, it may be approved for use in boys, too. Another vaccine, Cervarix, was approved by the FDA in 2007. Over time, widespread vaccination will help prevent transmission of the HPV types covered by the vaccines.
The Gardasil HPV vaccine protects against several high-risk strains of HPV, including HPV types 16 and 18, which account for 70% of cervical cancers. It also protects against HPV 6 and 11, which account for about 90% of genital warts. Cervarix protects against HPV types 16, 81, 31, and 45 -- all of which can cause cervical cancer.
Among the HPV treatment options are surgery, laser treatment, and freezing. Pregnant women, or women considering pregnancy, should consult closely with their doctor. The risk of passing HPV on to the baby is very low. But HPV treatments can affect pregnancy, so doctors may want to delay treatment until after childbirth.
Most doctors use cauterization or freezing as a first option to cure genital warts. Unfortunately, success achieved with this method is often temporary and the warts soon reappear. For genital warts, cures may involve having to surgically excise or burn them off. After surgical intervention or chemical acids are used, one can expect a scar in that area.
An alternative antiviral treatment is now available which represents a very promising solution to the growing epidemic of genital warts. HPVCurative is a new, highly effective and potent way to cure genital warts. It is valued for its role in the realm of genital warts cures, and has provided total clearance of the infection time after time.
It contains certified organic medicinal plant extracts and antiviral essential oils. Users of HPVCurative experience rapid elimination of genital warts without scarring or recurrence. The treatment is painless and provides superb results when compare to other HPV cures. It eliminates genital warts and restores skin tissue to the state it was in prior to the infection.
Organic extracts that demonstrated the greatest antiviral effect as HPV cures in comprehensive scientific trials, while having the least side effects on genital tissue, have been blended to create HPVCurative. To learn more, please go to http://www.bcured.net.
bcured - About the Author:
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