What are your chances of catching HPV?

If you are sexually active, you’re probably going to catch some strain of HPV.

It is estimated that somewhere around half of all sexually active people are actually walking around with genital HPV right now, while most people will contract HPV at some point in their lives.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that it’s usually not that big of a deal.

HPV isn’t just genital HPV, and even when it is genital HPV, it’s only the rarer forms of HPV which can lead to cancer, and those strains do not show themselves in the form of genital warts.

HPV includes common warts (hand warts), plantar warts, elbow warts, flat warts, and even some strains that don’t even cause any visible signs or lead to further health complications.

Most children will contract hand warts at some point in their early lives. Hand warts are uncomfortable and ugly, but they won’t lead to cancer, they’re easily treated, and 90% of the time, they clear up in a few weeks with or without treatment.

While they may cause unsightly and uncomfortable warts, most forms of HPV are relatively benign, and do not pose any serious health risks. The problem is that there are strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer, and that these strains usually cannot be spotted without a pap smear.

Tens of thousands of women die every year thanks to genital HPV leading to cervical cancer. The vast majority of people who contract HPV may wind up okay. Again, HPV only rarely leads to cancer. However, the risk is very real. You’re more likely to catch a cancer-causing strain of HPV than you are to get struck by lightning, so if you don’t stand under trees during a storm, don’t have sex without either using protection, or having STD tests done for both partners.

Luckily, there is an HPV vaccine available that can help prevent contracting cancer causing strains of the virus. The vaccine has been shown to be most effective when administered around the age of puberty, and is definitely worth looking into for either yourself, or any young women in your family. Yes, that may seem like an awkward subject to bring up, but let’s forget about that for a minute and face the facts: Some forty thousand women die of HPV related cancer every year. We cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand.

So to sum all of the above up into a list of “just the HPV facts”…

You have a very strong chance of contracting HPV in your lifetime. Your odds for catching a life threatening strain of HPV are slim, but the possibility is very real, nonetheless. Contracting HPV can only be prevented by the vaccine, using condoms, and/or having STD tests conducted on yourself and your sex partner.

The chance of catching HPV is very real, but you can significantly reduce the risk by practicing safe sex. You can strengthen your immune system against HPV and genital warts infections by eating properly and exercising. Basically, just be careful, live a healthy lifestyle, and you should be relatively safe.

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV.  We are dedicated to helping you.  For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_763820_17.html   

About the Author: Author: Michelle Anderson

Does the HPV vaccine work

The HPV vaccine does not treat existing cases of HPV. It also does not prevent all types of strains of the HPV virus. It protects only certain types of HPV and not the most severe ones.

Is the HPV vaccination shot safe?

(source: ProLifeBlogs.com) According to Judicial Watch that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, between March and May of 2007 up to 3 cases of deaths had been reported due to the HPV vaccine.  Also reported were 1,637 adverse vaccination reactions reported to the FDA via the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System included 371 serious reactions. Of the 42 women who received the vaccine while pregnant, 18 experienced side effects ranging from spontaneous abortion to fetal abnormities.

Who can get the HPV vaccine?

The FDA has approved: It is best to get the shot before you start being sexually active. It is NOT recommended for women over age 26.

How many shots will I need?

3 shots, One shot first, then 2 month later the Second shot and the third shot 6 months after the first shot.

How long Am I am going to be protected?

The vaccine is NEW, so there are a lot more studies to be done. There is no way for you to know at the time.

Can I get Vaccine if I have HPV?

The Vaccine will not Cure HPV . It might protect you from others types of HPV.

Note: You might have heard there are other ways of preventing it HPV or making it disappear  like by having the LEEP surgery or vaccination, Of course that involves side effects which might cause you to have a miscarriage or might not cure your HPV, which could then lead to Cervical cancer. After being an (ex) severe victim of HPV who continues to test clear of the virus my own opinion is that initial testing and results of the shot are much too dangerous for me to advise it. I almost got cervical cancer and today I am HPV free thanks to the Natural Way of treating it with no surgical procedures or pain wasoever.

Copyright 2009 http://naturalhpvcure.com

Andrea Segovia is an advocate for natural treatment of diseases and offers more information on the topic of hpv symptoms and treatments

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_760518_17.html

Nutrition to reduce risk of HPV

There is no magic diet, no special fruit or vegetable that will make you impervious to HPV. There’s no way to reduce risk of contracting HPV by 100%, as even the HPV vaccine only protects against the high risk forms that can lead to cancer and so on. That said, you can make some simple changes to your diet to improve your immune system, so as to greatly reduce your risk of contracting HPV, and, should you contract HPV, your immune system will be able to rid your body of the infection that much more quickly.

In fact, let’s forget about HPV for a minute and just consider this: If you eat healthy, you will feel better.

A lot of health food people get it wrong. Eating better isn’t about living longer, it’s not about avoiding foods that will “kill you” (no food can really kill you unless you’re suffering from serious obesity or blood pressure and cholesterol problems) it’s about making the years you have available to you more enjoyable. If you eat well, you will be in a better mood, as nutrition plays a vital part in maintaining mental health. If you eat well, you’ll be stronger, faster, less tired, you’ll feel more comfortable and look better in your own body, your skin will look and feel better, your bones will be stronger, you’ll get sick less often, and you will be happier. You will live longer, as well, but the real point is that, in the here and now, you can improve your quality of life by leaps and bounds by making a few simple dietary changes.

Fruits and vegetables

Here’s the basic rule of fruits and vegetables: There’s almost no such thing as too much.

You may have heard of the supposed “superfruits” which have become pretty trendy these days, but honestly, most of them aren’t much stronger than your average orange or apple. However, if an exotic flavour is enough to get you eating more fruits, go for it.

Look for fruits especially high in vitamin C, most obviously, the orange.

As for vegetables, try just switching sugary, salty snacks out with salads. Play around with different combinations and lighter dressings until you have something you like. Salads mainly provide fiber, which can help to keep your system clean and flush out excess waste. This can be enormously helpful in improving your immune system and preventing colon cancer.

Water

It sounds like a lot, but try to drink about a gallon a day. Water doesn’t contain vitamins or anything, but it works as a sort of lubrication for your body and basically improves all facets of your biological functions.

Protein

You do need protein to keep your immune system and your skin strong to help fight off HPV infection. Try to avoid red meat, though. Something to keep in mind, pork is actually one of the safest, healthiest meats available. It gets a bad name, and certainly, bacon is probably the worst food you can eat, but it digests more easily than beef and is less greasy. If you can get more protein from beans or fish, that’s even better.

Exercise

Nutrition only goes so far. You can have a perfect diet, but if you don’t keep yourself active, your immune system won’t be strong enough to deal with an HPV infection quickly and effectively. Stay fit. If you can make time for some daily situps and pushups, great. If not, at the very least you should take a walk every day.

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV.  We are dedicated to helping you.  For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_829571_17.html

How to avoid passing HPV on

Count yourself lucky for having been born in such extraordinary times. We still haven’t found a way to cure every single disease, and there is no cure for HPV, however, the rate of progress is improving dramatically, and with modern science, we’re discovering more and more ways to, if not kill HPV off for good, we can at least take steps to prevent contracting HPV, and to prevent passing it on.

There is a bit of a misconception that HPV is an entirely sexually related disease. Just to get this clear: It is not. HPV includes genital warts, but there are literally dozens of different types of HPV. To put it simply, all warts are caused by HPV, and there are some forms of HPV that don’t actually show any visible signs on the surface of the skin.

Most forms of HPV are merely uncomfortable or unsightly, warts are a form of tumour, but they are generally benign tumours, meaning, ugly as they are, they’re of no risk to your life or long term health. However, a few types can lead to cancer or other major complications.

If you’ve spotted an unsightly wart on your hands or feet, or your doctor has informed you that you have been infected with HPV, you’ll need to take measures to treat the hpv symptoms, of course, but you should also take measures to prevent passing it on.

Common warts or hand warts

Because of the protein “shell” surrounding an HPV cell, HPV can lay dormant for longer than most viruses even on non-absorbent, dry surfaces. If you’re dealing with hand warts, just make sure to spray down surfaces such as countertops and doorknobs with disinfectant and keep a generally sanitary environment at work and at home.

Luckily, most common wart hpv treatment options will have you putting a band-aid or other medical adhesive over the infected area, so as long as you wash your hands and reapply the bandages as needed, there’s not too much risk in passing on common hand warts.

Plantar warts

Unless you’re swapping socks with your friends, plantar warts are kind of hard to pass on in your normal routine.

If you go to a gym or health club and use communal showers, just make sure to wear rubber shower sandals. This is generally recommended whether you’re dealing with plantar warts or not, as you can keep from contracting HPV and foot funguses, as well.

Venereal HPV

There’s a misconception that if you don’t see any warts, you can’t pass HPV on. This is not true though. Not only can you pass venereal types of HPV on when there are no symptoms, there are also venereal HPV types which have no visible symptoms, but can lead to cervical cancer and other complications nonetheless.

In this day and age, you have to be living under a rock to not have heard about the many, many options for safe sex out there. The only form of safe sex that has much potential to prevent HPV, though, is using a condom. There is no cure for genital warts or HPV in men or women.

Know the sexual history of every sexual partner you become involved with, no exceptions. Unless you and your partner have both had HPV tests conducted and you know for a fact that you are both clear, use a condom every time. Condoms take only a few seconds to apply, and it just isn’t worth the risk to go without.

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV.  We are dedicated to helping you.  For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_690436_17.html

What are your chances of catching HPV?

If you are sexually active, you’re probably going to catch some strain of HPV.

It is estimated that somewhere around half of all sexually active people are actually walking around with genital HPV right now, while most people will contract HPV at some point in their lives.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that it’s usually not that big of a deal.

HPV isn’t just genital HPV, and even when it is genital HPV, it’s only the rarer forms of HPV which can lead to cancer, and those strains do not show themselves in the form of genital warts.

HPV includes common warts (hand warts), plantar warts, elbow warts, flat warts, and even some strains that don’t even cause any visible signs or lead to further health complications.

Most children will contract hand warts at some point in their early lives. Hand warts are uncomfortable and ugly, but they won’t lead to cancer, they’re easily treated, and 90% of the time, they clear up in a few weeks with or without treatment.

While they may cause unsightly and uncomfortable warts, most forms of HPV are relatively benign, and do not pose any serious health risks. The problem is that there are strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer, and that these strains usually cannot be spotted without a pap smear.

Tens of thousands of women die every year thanks to genital HPV leading to cervical cancer. The vast majority of people who contract HPV may wind up okay. Again, HPV only rarely leads to cancer. However, the risk is very real. You’re more likely to catch a cancer-causing strain of HPV than you are to get struck by lightning, so if you don’t stand under trees during a storm, don’t have sex without either using protection, or having STD tests done for both partners.

Luckily, there is an HPV vaccine available that can help prevent contracting cancer causing strains of the virus. The vaccine has been shown to be most effective when administered around the age of puberty, and is definitely worth looking into for either yourself, or any young women in your family. Yes, that may seem like an awkward subject to bring up, but let’s forget about that for a minute and face the facts: Some forty thousand women die of HPV related cancer every year. We cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand.

So to sum all of the above up into a list of “just the HPV facts”…

You have a very strong chance of contracting HPV in your lifetime. Your odds for catching a life threatening strain of HPV are slim, but the possibility is very real, nonetheless. Contracting HPV can only be prevented by the vaccine, using condoms, and/or having STD tests conducted on yourself and your sex partner.

The chance of catching HPV is very real, but you can significantly reduce the risk by practicing safe sex. You can strengthen your immune system against HPV and genital warts infections by eating properly and exercising. Basically, just be careful, live a healthy lifestyle, and you should be relatively safe.

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV.  We are dedicated to helping you.  For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_763820_17.html

PRESS RELEASE: HPV Cure & HPV Vaccine May Not Be Ready Yet – Makers of Supplement for Treating HPV Infections Announces 15% Sale

Wilmington, DE (PRWEB) April 5, 2010 – While there is no HPV cure in the medical makings as of yet, and there are a few HPV vaccines that are out for young girls that are administered in different stages and at different ages, treatment options for those who are infected with the HPV virus are few. The makers of an all-natural supplement that offers private and at-home, conventional and affordable options for treating HPV infections, like genital warts – Bio Natural Labs – is announcing a 15% off sale through the month of May, as well as the arrival of a brand new and affordable, 1-month supply that allows consumers to enjoy $1-per-day treatment.

The product is called Homeopathic Virus Inhibitor: It works to detoxify the body and cleanse the internal organs, while super-boosting the immune system and introducing four high-potency antioxidants, as well as eight of the most powerful all-natural antivirals known to man—as well as using anti-anxiety and anti-stress ingredient complexes to prevent stress-related HPV virus outbreaks.

When compared to conventional medical treatment options for those who are showing external signs and symptoms of the HPV virus – like genital warts – the spokesperson for Bio Natural Labs, Jonathan Steinberg, ascertains that HPVI offers some true promise for those who are seeking a private and affordable means of holistic, at-home treatment for HPV.

“When compared to the current treatment options on the market, such as external creams that a doctor might prescribe, HVPI offers something very similar,” Steinberg explains. “Because such creams are called imiquimods – which basically stimulate the body’s own immune system to fend off the HPV virus naturally, and such creams have only a documented success rate of about 42% – we feel very strongly about the success of our supplement. HPVI offers a high-dosage of antivirals and antioxidants that can really super-blast the immune system, and allow the body to internally and naturally combat the HPV virus, as well incorporating powerful anti-stress and anti-anxiety ingredients to help prevent stress-related outbreaks.”

Currently Bio Natural Labs is offering a brand new, 1-month supply of their HPVI supplement for naturally treating HPV infections for $29.99 per month; or a $1-per-day. They also offer a 4, 6, and 12 month supply at their online store for generous discounts off the one month price.

Through the month of May, the company is offering a 15% discount on all products, with exception to the 1-month supply, when customers enter coupon code “fifteen” into the shopping cart prior to checking out. The company always offers free shipping on all of their products.

Most users will see noticeable signs of HPV virus cessation within the first 4-6 weeks of daily usage; when used as directed.

The makers always recommend using a full 12-month supply in order to see the desired results.

Bio Natural Labs also offers an industry-leading, no-questions-asked, 120-day money-back product guarantee to all of its customers.

You can learn more about this wonderful and all natural supplement for treating HPV infections by visiting: www.BioNaturaLabs.com

For press and media inquires please email: PR@bionaturalabs.com

To read their blog feed on Genital Warts Information please visit: http://genitalwartsinformation.blogspot.com

To read their blog on HPV Natural Cures and the HPV virus, please visit: http://hpvnaturalcures.blogspot.com

To view their online forums please visit: http://bionaturalabs.com/forums

• On sale for a generous 15% discount off the normal price at their online store at: https://bionaturalabs.com/store - by entering in coupon code “fifteen” at the time of checkout

• New 1-month affordable treatment option available to meet your budget at a $1-Per-Day ($29.99 per month)

• You can learn more about why HPVI works and what ingredients it incorporates at: http://bionaturalabs.com/why-hpvi-works

• Supplement Works Fast; Shows Virus Cessation in Weeks!

• Easy-to-Take, All-Natural Daily Supplement!

• Affordable, Private, Conventional, At-Home Solution for Treating HPV Infections!

• Provides the Body with the Ability to Fight Off Signs & Symptoms of the HPV Virus FAST!

• Most Powerful Formulation of All-Natural Antivirals & Antioxidants Known to Man!

• Created in State-of-the-Art, GMP Certified Labs Using the Finest Ingredients!

• Contains Combinations of the Eight of World’s Most Potent All-Natural Antivirals!

• Combines Four High-Potency Antioxidants into One Daily Supplement!

• Incorporates Suntheanine—an active anti-stress and anti-anxiety ingredient in HPVI—something that no other natural treatment option for HPV infections addresses: Stress-Related Outbreaks!

• No More Embarrassing & Expensive Doctor Visits!

• No More Costly Surgeries, Scarring or Lengthy Healing Times!

• A Fast-Acting Formula that Allows the Body to Fight Off HPV Warts Fast!

• Effective Against All Forms of the HVP virus, including Anal, Penile, Vaginal, Genital Warts & Other Signs & Symptoms of HPV!

• SHIPS DISCREETLY IN PLAIN PACKAGING!

• UNPRECEDENTED, NO-QUESTIONS-ASKED, 120-DAY MONEY-BACK PRODUCT GUARANTEE!

• The FDA does not recognize the practice of herbs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not evaluated any statement made herein. None of the information provided is meant to act as a prescription, medical advice or therapeutic advice. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. As with any dietary supplement, you should ALWAYS seek advice from a health care practitioner prior to use of any type of herb(s) or herbal products, if you are pregnant, nursing, have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination, taking a Mao inhibitor, or any other prescription drug, or have any medical condition requiring a physician’s care. Always keep all herbal products, including HPVI, out of the reach of children.

Should Young Aldults Receive a HPV vaccine

Clearly too much has been said and done about HPV medicines and treatments.Now it is time we think about the less talked about HPV vaccine.

It is just recently that an HPV vaccine was given a nod by FDA to be used among other forms of HPV treatment.

As more and more teenagers and preteens engage in sexual activities,HPV or Human Papilloma Virus which is termed as a sexually transmitted disease has become a major concern to many parents in the world.

HPV is highly contagious and a vaccine for it could be percieved as a relief to both parents and the young adult.

It is well known that HPV infection has no cure but with such a viable project in the name of HPV vaccine on the way,the possibility of HPV spread and reinfection is seen to reduce a great deal.

Thanks to FDA for in June 2006 the first ever HPV vaccine was approved.Gardasil has become a household name in the medical circles as an HPV vaccine which has proved to be as effective as other methods of HPV treatments which for the time being is used atleast by women.


Cervarix is another HPV vaccine used on women and was awaiting for the FDA approval as at the end of 2006.

Research shows that Gardasil is a vaccine which is recommended to be administered to young girls between the ages of 9 to 26 in a number of three dosages before the onset of sexual relationships.

Naturally this becomes a reason for concern in parents with girls especially.An HPV vaccine for men is yet to be established although Gardasil is still being tested on them all the same.

As there are two sides to a coin, parents on the other hand are afraid that administering these vaccines at such a tender age is going to encourage promiscuity among the young adults at a time when they are so vulnerable and probability of giving up to peer pressure so high.

According to many this could be sending the wrong message to the young generation.Would you rather have to live with an HPV infected child or would you opt to take them for an HPV vaccine?The newst intrigue added to the whole senario is that there is lobbying to make HPV vaccine a mandatory one.

This in turn complicates the whole issue and parents are left with little choice on whether to take their child to recieve the HPV vaccine or not.

About the author:
Wangeci Kinyanjui has been researching and reporting on Health Matters for years. For more information on HPV vaccine, visit her site at  HPV VACCINE  

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Why Should a Child Receive an HPV vaccine?

Although there was much said about an HPV vaccine, it wasn’t until very recently that an HPV vaccine was granted approval by the FDA to be used in the treatment of HPV.

HPV is short for the Human Papilloma Virus which is regarded as a sexually transmitted disease. There are more and more cases of this virus occurring, and as more and more teenagers and preteens begin sexual lives at this early age, there is now more than ever a spread of this virus.

The main reason for this lying in the fact that HPV is contagious. This was a factor in trying to find a viable HPV vaccine. It had already been established that there was no cure as such for the HPV infection but a vaccine was still seen as a possibility.

So it was, that in June of 2006 the first ever HPV vaccine was approved by the FDA. This HPV vaccine is known by the name of Gardasil and for the time being at least is used as a vaccine to treat HPV in women.

Another vaccine which was awaiting on FDA approval as of the end of 2006 is called Cervarix and is also used as an HPV vaccine for women. An HPV vaccine for men has as yet to be established although Gardasil is being tested for use on men as well.

Studies for the HPV vaccine Gardasil shows that it is best if administered before the commencement of sexual relations. For this reason it has been recommended that this HPV vaccine be administered to girls as young as 9-12 years of age.

This is the ideal recommended time frame to administer the HPV vaccine, although the age delimitation is between 12-26 years. Within this age window a series of 3 Gardasil HPV vaccine doses will be administered.

Not unnaturally, the very young age at which the HPV vaccine is recommended be administered to women, is the cause for concern and contention among many people, parents of young girls especially. However there are always two sides to a story and both sides in this case have their good points.

On the one hand administering this HPV vaccine can prevent the onset of the HPV infection in sexually active young women. And on the other hand, parents are afraid that administering such a vaccine at such a young age could be sending the wrong message to the younger generations.

What truly complicates the entire issue is the fact that there is lobbying to make this HPV vaccine a mandatory one. This could in effect upset the apple cart as it is taking away the choice from the parent as to whether their child should receive the HPV vaccine or not.

About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years. For more information on HPV vaccine, visit his site at HPV VACCINE  

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

HPV Testing for Women

Women, get a pap smear and an HPV test at your next opportunity. Do not put it off or deem it unnecessary.

Sorry if we seem a bit militant on this front. All men have to worry about when it comes to HPV is the problem of dealing with an ugly infection. In women, HPV can be fatal.

It is estimated that cervical cancer affects 473,000 women every year, killing 253,500 women. Most of these cases are directly linked with genital HPV.

To put that in perspective, breast cancer kills about 519,000 women a year. Breast cancer gets a lot of media attention because of its high casualty rate, but efforts against HPV and cervical cancer have not enjoyed the same amount of attention, and this has led many women to neglect regular testing.

The major problem here tends to be the misconception that HPV means genital warts
. Several strains of HPV can lead to genital warts, but the types that can lead to cervical cancer do not show any visible symptoms whatsoever, and can only be effectively identified by a pap smear.

In that few men have ever died of HPV related conditions, men can more easily get away with saying “I trust my partner, I’m safe”, but this is not an option for women. Remember that when you have sex with a new partner, you are having sex with everyone they have ever had sex with. Your boyfriend or husband may have been tested negative for HPV, but, again, the types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer show absolutely no visible signs, and would be nearly impossible to detect in men.

Apologies for the “preachy” tone being employed here, but the fact remains that there are no safe bets when you’re betting with your life. You cannot be one hundred percent certain that you’re free and clear until you’ve been tested.

Are pap smears inconvenient, uncomfortable, and embarrassing? Of course they are, but they save lives.

As for the visible HPV types, the types which result in genital warts, here are the steps to take when considering being tested…

1- Self inspection

When you have a chance, during a shower, before bed, whenever you can, check yourself for any abnormal bumps or lesions on or around your genitals. If you see even the slightest thing out of place…

2- Talk to your doctor

It may wind up being nothing, but you won’t know for sure without your gynaecologist or physician’s input. If it does wind up being HPV…

3- Take the appropriate steps

Don’t sleep on it, just get your hands on something from the pharmacy right away. Catching HPV early means you can nip it in the bud, so act fast.

Beyond that, just remember that testing and treating HPV is important, but not as important as preventing HPV. Always practice safe sex, always use latex condoms with a new partner, and check yourself regularly to make sure you’re safe. In short, don’t take any chances with your health or your life.

Michelle Anderson - About the Author:

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV. We are dedicated to helping you. For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV Treatment.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hpv-testing-for-women-986314.html

HPV Testing for Men

One of the first things you need to know about HPV testing for men… is that you need to be tested before you can be certain.

If you have any degree of sexual experience, getting tested is a good idea. You can’t just inspect yourself, trust that you don’t have anything, and forget about it. HPV can remain dormant for years, decades, even a lifetime without showing any symptoms, but can still be contagious. In women, it is the types of HPV that actually have no symptoms that can lead to cervical cancer.

Luckily, most genital HPV types are harmless. In fact, it’s estimated that anywhere from one third to one half of all sexually active adults have contracted a benign form of HPV at one point or other. However, this isn’t the case with all HPV types, so it’s important to get tested.

Should I get Tested?

The first question would probably be… how would you know if you need to be tested?

Well, if you’ve ever had sex before, you should get yourself tested, and get tested again after every encounter with a new sexual partner.

This is sort of a blanket statement. What if you’ve only had one sexual partner in your entire life, and you can verify that your partner only had one partner before you?

Genital HPV is generally only spread through actual sexual intercourse, and not say, toilet seats or what have you, so wouldn’t a clean sexual history make it a safe bet that you don’t have HPV?

No. You’ve no doubt heard that when you have sex with a new partner, you are, in effect, having sex with everyone they’ve ever been with. This is how STDs spread, from one sex partner to another, to another, to another. Unless you have detailed test results from your partner, your partner’s previous partner or partners, and their previous partners, you can’t be one hundred percent sure.

How do they do the Test?

Getting tested for HPV as a man is easy. Women have to undergo the discomfort of a pap smear, so count yourself lucky and just go ahead and go through with it already.

HPV testing in men is done with a simple visual check. Your physician may spot the genital warts on sight, or may use acetic acid to identify warts and HPV related lesions. The acid causes the abnormal tissue to become white.

HPV testing for men can be a little tricky when the infection is in its early stages. You can have HPV and not know it, simply because the test didn’t prove anything. For this reason, you absolutely must practice safe sex. You might think you’re safe, when in fact, you are not. Always use a condom, and see your doctor at the first sign of anything that might, in fact, be the early stages of an HPV infection.

More important than getting tested or treated is simply preventing HPV in the first place. Do not have sex without a condom unless you can be certain that you and your partner are both clear and free, simple as that.

 

Michelle Anderson - About the Author:

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV. We are dedicated to helping you. For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hpv-testing-for-men-962800.html

Hpv Women – Why Protection Is Critical

When you have sex with a new partner, you're having sex with every partner they ever had sex with, and every partner they had sex with, and on and on…

Researchers have uncovered over 35 different types of HPV that infect the genital tract, and of these, at least 15 are known to lead to cervical cancer. The most dangerous strains, #16,  #18, #31 and #45 account for over 70% of all cervical cancers. HPV is also known to cause cancer in the vulva, vagina, anus, head and neck.

What Is HPV?

Genital HPV (human papilloma virus) is the most common sexually transmitted disease and it's believed that up to 70% of women will have come into contact with HPV by the time they're 60 years old.


Most women may never show any signs of HPV infection and their immune system fights off the virus. However, for a number of women, certain strains of HPV can lead to genital warts, which are a clear indication that she has come into contact with a sexual partner who has HPV.

While genital warts can be embarrassing, unsightly and often painful, the strains of HPV that are responsible for this type of infection are different from the strains that can develop into cervical cancer.

HPV causes normal cells to become abnormal. These abnormalities can present in the form of genital warts, which often appear within weeks or months of infection. However, it's the strains of HPV that lead to cervical cancer which you need to be most concerned about. These infections can lay dormant in your system for many years and display no signs or symptoms. But over time, the infection alters cells in the cervix and by the time the cancer is detected in HPV women, it can be too late.

How to Protect Yourself Against HPV

Every year hundreds of thousands of women die from cervical cancer that is directly linked to HPV. The reason so many women die from this form of cancer is because the symptoms often go undetected for many years.

So it's important to do everything you can to protect yourself from the risks associated with HPV. Let's look at some of the steps you can take:

1. A HPV vaccine is available to girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26 which prevents the most common strains of HPV in women. In particular, the vaccine protects women against the strains which can lead to cervical cancer.

This vaccine is most effective on women who have had no previous sexual experiences.

2. The most effective HPV treatment is a regular Pap smear to test for any abnormal cells in the cervix. If you have the same sexual partner, or you are not sexually active, a Pap smear once a year is appropriate. After the age of 30, your medical practitioner may suggest you have a Pap smear every 2 or 3 years.

If you have a number of sexual partners, it doesn't hurt to have a Pap smear every time you start a new relationship. Sure, Pap smears are a little uncomfortable, but a few moments of feeling uncomfortable is worth it if the results show abnormal cell development.

That wonderful new man you've just met may be THE ONE, but he may also unwittingly be THE ONE who is carrying a HPV infection he isn't aware of, and it's easy to pass that virus on to you.

3. Have a frank and open discussion with new sexual partners. Although it may seem embarrassing, it could save your life! If you have ever had an outbreak of genital warts, this type of infection can't be cured so although you may not have any symptoms, you can easily transmit the virus to your partner.

Similarly, he may have been exposed to the virus and not know.

4. Practice safe sex. Although HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, it's only one of many, so practicing safe sex by using a condom can help protect you against a number of serious infections.

5. Keep yourself healthy and well. You can reduce the risk of contracting HPV if your immune system is strong enough to fight off the infection. But let's face it: being healthy isn't just about protecting yourself against HPV – it's about protecting yourself from a number of infections that can attack your system if it's not in good shape.

HPV and women can be a deadly combination, so ensure you read all the information you can about the risks and know how to arm and protect yourself at all times.

Michelle Anderson - About the Author:

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV.  We are dedicated to helping you.  For more information on symptoms and treatments visit: http://www.hpvhealth.net

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/mens-health-articles/hpv-women-why-protection-is-critical-2027282.html

Hpv Symptoms – Exploding The Myths

Perhaps the most important point to note about HPV symptoms is that in many cases there are none!

Both men and women can carry one of the strains of HPV that results in genital warts, or worse still, cervical cancer, yet show no signs or symptoms whatsoever. Yet they can be pursuing an active sex life and unwittingly passing on the virus to one sexual partner after another.

In fact, the most prevalent strains of HPV that have been linked to cervical cancer are the least likely to show any symptoms for many years. Between 3000 and 4000 women die every year from cervical cancer, which is often treatable if caught in its early stages. Medical researchers believe that this number is so high because most women have no idea they have cervical cancer until it’s too late.

Remember that every time you have sex with a new partner, you are having sex with all the partners they had before you and all the partners those partners had…ad infinitum.

So before you swear off sex for the rest of your life, let’s look at some of the misunderstandings and myths surrounding HPV.

The Truth About HPV

* Around 250 individual strains of HPV have been identified, but only a few of them lead to the most problematic medical conditions – genital warts in both males and females and cervical cancer in females.
* Genital HPV is only transmitted by sexual contact, or in a very small number of cases, by oral sex with a partner who is already infected. You CAN’T catch HPV from a toilet seat or from sitting where someone else who has HPV has been sitting.
* If you discover you have genital warts, it doesn’t necessarily follow that your current sexual partner is the one who gave it to you. In most cases, the strains of HPV that cause genital warts can lie dormant in your system for many years before a breakout occurs.

A more realistic scenario is that you are the one who has unknowingly been passing on genital warts to your sexual partners while you’ve been blissfully unaware of its existence and at some future time they are going to blame their current partner for passing on the virus when, in fact, it was you.

* Contracting HPV does not mean you are promiscuous. You only need to have one sexual encounter to become infected with the virus. Obviously, the more you engage in frequent and unsafe sexual practices, the more likely you are to eventually come into contact with HPV or any one of a number of other sexually transmitted diseases.

So the logical solution is to always practice safe sex, particularly when you have a new sexual partner. Not only will a latex condom prevent you from the symptoms of HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases, it will help avoid unwanted pregnancy.

* Undergoing HPV treatment for genital warts is NOT a cure. Even if the warts have disappeared, you still carry the virus which means you can infect your sexual partner at any stage now or in the future.
* The HPV vaccine is believed to prevent all the recognized strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer in women. However, it doesn’t guarantee to prevent cervical cancer in girls or women who have been sexually active prior to being vaccinated.
* The jury is still out on whether uncircumcised men are more likely to carry the virus. While a number of studies have produced statistics which suggest the partners of uncircumcised men are at greater risk of contracting the strains of HPV which lead to cervical cancer, many medical researchers believe the statistics are flawed.

Every individual is at risk of being exposed to HPV and displaying HPV symptoms. The most effective ways to protect yourself are by practicing safe sex and by knowing and understanding as much as possible about HPV, HPV symptoms and HPV treatments.

Michelle Anderson - About the Author:

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV.  We are dedicated to helping you.  For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV Treatment.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hpv-symptoms-exploding-the-myths-1826882.html

Hpv Men – The Proof You Need Protection

Genital human papilloma virus (or HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Statistics indicate that up to 90% of males and females come into contact with HPV at some point in their life if they have been sexually active. And in many of these cases, they unwittingly pass it on to their partner.

But the good news is that the vast majority of the 250 recognised strains of HPV cause no symptoms, signs or illness and our immune system works to destroy the infection with no side effects. However, medical researchers have isolated 15 strains of the virus that can lead to serious health risks.

When it comes to the consequences of HPV, men are relatively fortunate because the most serious strains of HPV can lead to cervical cancer and death in women. Every year around 3000 to 4000 women die from cervical cancer, and in 70% of these cases, the cancer is directly related to HPV.

What are the Dangers of HPV?

In the vast majority of cases, men can become infected with HPV and show no signs or symptoms. However, simply showing no symptoms of infection doesn’t mean that you aren’t carrying one of the strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer in a woman. You just don’t know it.

So it pays to have regular check-ups with your medical practitioner every time you begin a new relationship. This may sound over-the-top and unnecessary, but how would you feel if you learned that you inadvertently passed on one of the deadly strains of HPV to your partner that resulted in cervical cancer?

Fortunately, genital HPV won’t kill you if you are male, but it can be very embarrassing, painful and unsightly if you contract one of the strains of HPV that results in genital warts.

Remember, every time you have sex with a new partner, you are having sex with every partner she has ever had and every partner they have ever had… scary, huh?

What are the Symptoms of HPV?

If you have detected any abnormalities including scaly or itchy patches or growths in your genital area, you need to get checked out immediately. HPV testing for men is a relatively simple procedure.

Genital warts tend to appear in clusters, like miniature cauliflowers. They can be quite small in size or spread across a wide area from your genitals through to your anus. The area surrounding the warts is often painful and the warts are often itchy.

If you are diagnosed with genital warts, your physician can recommend topical HPV treatments that relieve the symptoms until the infection has passed.

How to Prevent HPV Infections

You may have the genital warts virus and simply not know it. Even if you’ve never had an outbreak of genital warts, but particularly if you have, the strain of HPV that results in genital warts or a number of other serious conditions, including cancer, may be dormant in your system.

So always practicing safe sex is mandatory if you want to protect yourself from HPV and also so you can prevent spreading the infection to your partner. The risk that you could unwittingly pass the strains of HPV that lead to cervical cancer in women cannot be stressed enough.

To avoid coming into contact with HPV, men need to wear a latex condom when having sex. Not only does a condom help protect you from unwanted pregnancy, it also prevents you from catching HPV, as well as preventing you from passing it on. And HPV is only one of a number of sexually transmitted diseases that can infect you. None of them are pretty and all of them will have a dramatic impact on the state of your sexual health with all your future partners, for as long as you continue to be sexually active – and for most of us that means the rest of our lives.

 

Michelle Anderson - About the Author:

HPV Health is dedicated to bringing you the most current information on HPV.  We are dedicated to helping you.  For more information on symptoms and treatments visit HPV.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hpv-men-the-proof-you-need-protection-1796360.html

Hpv Vaccine to Prevent Stds and Cervical Cancer

The HPV vaccine known as Gardasil is the first vaccine created for the prevention of a sexually transmitted disease. HPV – also known as the human papillomavirus – is often associated with genital warts. However, certain strains of this sexually transmitted disease are the most common cause of cervical cancer, which is often only detected in its later stages. In fact, cervical cancer is often considered the second most common form of cancer affecting women. Some insist that the HPV vaccine should be mandatory among women in order to prevent cervical cancer as well as genital warts.

About the HPV Vaccine

The Gardasil vaccine targets the four most dangerous strains of HPV. Approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV-16 or HPV-18. About 90% of cases of genital warts are due to an HPV-6 or HPV-11 sexually transmitted infection. It is these four strains that Gardasil protects against.

While at present cervical cancer prevention predominantly relies on pap smear screenings and safe sex practice, the HPV vaccine adds a significant level of prevention since it may protect women from contracting HPV in the first place. The HPV vaccine represents a relatively new option, and as such is still undergoing observation and research. Nonetheless, it is available to the public and is typically recommended for young women between the ages of 11 and 12.

About HPV

HPV is one of the most commonly contracted STDs and may affect both men and women. The symptoms associated with HPV depend on the type of strain that is the source of infection. In many cases, no symptoms of an HPV infection appear, which is what makes regular pap smear tests so important to female reproductive health. The following are some of the common signs and symptoms of HPV.

HPV: Genital Warts

If an HPV infection occurs, the symptoms of genital warts may not begin to develop for several weeks. In fact, in many cases, genital warts symptoms will not appear for several months.

The physical symptoms of genital warts are characterized by white or flesh-coloured areas that are either flat or raised, and are said to resemble cauliflower florets. These typically appear in the vaginal region, anus or vulva in women. Genital warts may interfere with bodily functions such as urinating and bowel movements.

HPV: Cervical Cancer

The HPV strain that is commonly associated with genital warts is rarely linked with cervical cancer. Unfortunately, this also means that physical symptoms of an HPV infection that may lead to cervical cancer are often not apparent. In many cases, the immune system will be able to fight off this type of HPV infection; however, in cases where this does not occur, the longer HPV remains in the system, the greater the risk of developing cervical cancer becomes. A Pap smear can detect abnormal cells in the cervix, which may indicate an HPV infection, and help prevent the development of cervical cancer.

In cases where physical symptoms of cervical cancer do appear, the signs may include painful intercourse, lower back pain, pain during urination and unusual vaginal bleeding – particularly after intercourse. However, these symptoms may indicate a variety of other reproductive health conditions affecting women, and should be investigated by a health care professional.

Stephanie Roberts - About the Author:

Womens-Health.co.uk is dedicated to providing women with up-to-date and relevant information on a range of issues pertaining to their health, including pregnancy, infertility and reproductive health issues.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/hpv-vaccine-to-prevent-stds-and-cervical-cancer-179683.html

What You Need to Know About Legislation on Hpv Vaccine

There has been talk of a vaccine which is purported to cure hpv. Hpv or human Papilloma Virus is the cause of a very contagious sexually transmitted condition called genital warts. The virus is now preventable with a new vaccine which is being marketed as the best prevention for hpv in man. Legislation on hpv vaccine has been a hot bed of ethical debate ever since the vaccine was launched. Let us look through some of the highlights of the vaccine's journey.

The United States has seen many health departments in various states making compulsory legislation on hpv vaccine. Most states have made vaccination for teenage girls free. The states, in most cases have also tried to disseminate information regarding the condition to one and all, so that the vaccine may be availed by all girls and women who are susceptible to the virus. Currently there is just one vaccine which has been approved by the Federal Drug Authority (FDA) for use to prevent hpv in man. This is Gradasil manufactured by the pharmaceutical major, Merkk. The vaccine protects its users against four of the commonest strains of the virus. Other pharmaceutical companies are coming out with their own versions of the vaccine, of which Cervarix manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline is awaiting approval by the FDA.

The fundamental question one would ask is what sparked off sudden legislation on hpv vaccine? This was initiated by a recommendation from the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in the United States. In June 2006, the authority recommended routine vaccination against hpv for girls between 11 and 12 years of age. These girls are in school and were supposed to be targeted before they became sexually active. Girls in this age group are in school and the onus for implementing school vaccinations rests on state legislatures and their respective health departments.

The debate on legislation on hpv vaccine now comes under the scanner when it has to be implemented in schools. The wide availability of the vaccine is a boon but there is still an opposition to the introduction of the vaccine in school mandates. This is mainly because of issues like the vaccine's cost, its safety in children and the parents' right to refuse vaccination for their child. Concerns about financing this costly vaccine are also being cited as a point against introducing it in schools. There are also questions raised about the need for insurance like Medicaid to cover such a vaccine.

Amid all the objections and concerns raised about the introduction and use of vaccine amongst children, the United States has allowed the vaccine to be easily accessible to one and all. The Center for Disease Control has announced that the vaccine will be available in all states through the federally funded program Vaccines for Children. The scope for coverage under this program is children between nine and eighteen years of age who are insured with Medicaid, Native-American, Alaskan-American and some under- and un-insured children.

Karl Dorads - About the Author:

You can visit our website for more information about Genital warts and Genital Warts Treatments. We have a lot of articles about Genital Warts, Genital Wart Medication, Genital Wart Removal, Genital Wart Symptoms...

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-legislation-on-hpv-vaccine-557945.html

Why Is An HPV Vaccine An Important Consideration?

In 2006, a HPV vaccine was developed for the treatment of the Human Papilloma Virus. The development has been extremely important in being able to keep young women and girls safe from this disease. The HPV virus affects a large amount of individuals in the United Sates; about 50 percent.

And as for women, which the vaccine was developed for, it is estimated that around 80 percent of females will have been exposed to the HPV Virus by the age of 50. The more we understand about this disease and how to prevent it, the more that can be done to lower the amount of people who get it.

The vaccine for HPV is called Gardasil, and is marketed by Merck. It has been found to be nearly one hundred percent effective in preventing the four strains of HPV that, when put together, account for seventy percent of the cases of cervical cancer and ninety percent of the cases of genital warts. It is administered in three doses over a six-month period.

The vaccine is most effective if it is given before females become sexually active. It is currently recommended that girls be vaccinated at about the ages of eleven or twelve. The vaccine can be safely administered to girls as young as nine, and women as old as twenty-six years of age. Investigations are currently being done to find out if the vaccine is safe and effective to administer to boys and young men.

The HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. A study has found that pregnant women who received the vaccine were no more likely to have adverse outcomes than those who received a placebo. However, it is still recommended that a woman who is pregnant complete her pregnancy before receiving the vaccine. If a woman learns she is pregnant after starting the course of the vaccination, then she should wait until after she has had her baby to receive the second and third injections.

There are many different strains of the Human Papilloma Virus and the HPV vaccine does not protect individuals against all of them. However, it can help reduce the risk that a female has of contracting the disease. It is important to not that if you are sexually active, the use of a condom will not completely protect you against the virus.

This is because the HPV virus is spread by contact with the skin. Condoms do not cover all of the areas that could be infected. Before a young girl or woman becomes sexually active, they should consider taking the vaccine.

MIKE SELVON - About the Author:

Mike Selvon has some great genital warts articles. Find out more tips on the hpv vaccine at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our genital warts help blog.

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/why-is-an-hpv-vaccine-an-important-consideration-542051.html