I got this question and answers from my OB GYN, and thought I would post it here for the people that are scard like I was. I think if you feel that you have this go get checked out...
Each year, millions of people all over the world are diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The most common of these infections is a virus called HPV (human papilloma virus). The information provided here may supplement what your physician has already told you or will tell you about this particular virus, its treatment, and what you can do to protect yourself now and in the future.
What is HPV?
HPV is a family of more than 100 strains of virus, including those that cause warts on the hands and feet. About one-third of these viruses cause STDs, resulting in genital problems that affect both woman and men. Som studies have shown that perhaps 20 percent of all men and women in the United States, between 15 and 49, have evidence of HPV infection. The more sexual partners you have, the greater your risk of getting an HPV infection. Studies of sexually active young adults suggestthat the lifetime risk of getting HPV can be as high as 80 percent.
It is best to keep your immune system high and in good health it keeps the virus under control. Genital warts, or condylomas, are one kind of lesion cause by HPV. These warts sometimes appear as growths or bumps on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, in the urethra (bladder opening), or on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. They may be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large. Some warts cluster into a cauliflower-like shape.
Microscopic warts, caused by genital HPV, are warts that physicians can only find with a special instruments. There are also genital HPV infections that live in the skin without causing any visible sign at all. These HPV infections are called "clinically inapparent" or "subclinical." Sublinical infections usually cause no symptoms, and require no treatment.
Research has shown that HPV is the principle agent causing cervical dysplasia in women. Dysplasia is the disorderly growth of the cells that line the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus. Undetected and untreated, dysplasia can eventually lead to cervical cancer. Fortunately, a Pap test can accurately detect and successfully treat dysplasia in the vast majority of cases.
Who gets genital HPV infections, and how?
Genital HPV infections occur in sexually active women and men of all ages, races, and social classes. Genital HPV is usually spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. A pregnant woman can also infect her infant during childbirth, but this is rare.
Diffrent types of HPV can cause warts on other parts of the body, such as the hands. Contatc with these types of warts can cause similar skin warts, bu tdoes not cause genital warts.
If I were infected, when would warts appear?
It's difficult for people to know exactly when or from whom they have contracted the virus. After sexual relations with an infected person, genital warts may appear within weeks, months, or years-or they may never appear. New arts may also appear months or years after successful treatment. These may be caused either by the original strain of HPV or by a newly acquired strain.
How would I know if I have a genital HPV infection?
HPV infection is often invisible because the virus hides inside the skin or mucous membranes. Even if you develop warts, they may be in an area that is difficult to see, such as inside the vagina or anus, or on the cervix. Genital warts are often small and flesh-colored, and usually have no accompanying symptoms, such as itching, pain, or bleeding.
there are some symptoms you can watch for. See your personal physician or OB GYN if you:
*find unusual growths, bumps, or skin changes on or near your penis, vagina, vulva, or anus; or
*notice any unusual itching, pain, or bleeeding; or
*if you are not sure and worry yourself to death go get checked out for a peace of mind.
How is genital HPV treated?
Genital warts can be treated in a variety of ways. Your medical practitioner may apply a medication in the office, or prescribe a medication that you can use at home. Large or persistent warts may require treatment by freezing, surgery, or laser.
Follow-up visits may be needed for any treatment method to succeed , and it's not uncommon for a series of treatments to be required. In some circumstances, observation without treatment may be an option. But whether the lesions are treated or observed, it's important to follow your physician's recommendations.
What if Im diagnosed with genital HPV?
If you're diagnosed with genital HPV, it's normal to experience a range of emotions. Like many people, you may feel depressed, angry, guilty, or frutrated. Or like others, you might feel ashamed, unattractive, and uninterested in sex. Whatever you feel, it's important to remember that it's natural. I encourage you to share your feelings with your partner and your medical practitioner, to help you feel better.
If you are diagnosed with genital HPV, you're not alone. Keep the following in mind:
*Genital HPV is now very common
*For most people genital HPV is a minor problem.
*Occasional warts can be treated in the medicaal offices.
*Having regular Pap tests to check for HPV can help you effectively prevent cerical cancer.
Although the medical people are still learning about HPV, over time, most people seem to have fewer outbreaks and HPV-related problems. It is believe this is because the immune system learns to control the virus.
How do protect myself and others?
All STDs, including genital warts, are spread primarily through genital, oral, and anal sexual contact. Follow these guidelines to help keep you from contracting other STDs or spreading genital warts to others.
Praatice safer sex
The surest waay to avoid STD infection is to abstain from sexual intercourse and potentially unsafe sex. If you are sexually active, take these precaustions to protect yourself:
*Always use latex condoms and a spermicide that contains nonoxynol-9 when you ahve sexual intercourse if you or your partner is male.
*Control your use of alchol and other mood-altering drugs, they can cloud your ability to make decisions about safer sex.
*Make self-protection a priority. Always practice safer sex because your sexual partner may not know wheter they've been exposed to genital HPV or other STDs. Even if you already have one strain of virus, you can still protect yourself against other strains.
Have regular Pap tests
HPV infection increases the risk of having an abnormal Pap test result. Because of this it is recommendedthat you have an annual Pap test if you have HPV, or if you are sexually active. Women who have more than one sexual partner have a greater risk of contacting the virus, which could result in an abnormal Pap test. But if you've been sexually monogamous(have had only one sex partner) for two years, and you have had two normal annual Pap tests, it may be recommended a Pap test every two to three years.
Take care of your body
You're lesss susceptible to infection when you're in good heaalth. And if you have genital HPV, a strong immune system is important in bringing the disease under control. Keep your immune system strong-eat healthy foods, get enough sleep and exercise, manage your stress level, and avoid alchol, drugs, and tobacco.
Examine your genitals regularly to check for visible warts. If you notice any, contact your personal physician or OB GYN and follow these precautions:
*Don't try to remove warts yourself with over the coutner medications.
*Wash your hands after touching genital warts, ordinary souap kills the virus.
*Urinate, and carefully wash and dry your genitals after sexual contact.
Q&A All about genital HPV infections
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