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What is Human Papilloma Virus?

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a group of viruses that includes approximately 100 different strains or types of viruses. 30 of which are sexually transmitted Of all the people who become infected with the HPV virus most will not show any symptoms and the infection will clear up on it's own. Some of the viruses are referred to as "high-risk" types of viruses and may cause a woman to have an abnormal PAP test result. These "high risk" viruses may also lead to cancer of the cervix, vagina, anus, or penis. Other in this group of viruses are referred to as "low risk" types and may cause mild Pap test abnormal results or even genital warts. Genital warts grow in the genital area and can be just one growth or be multiple growths (or bumps). They are cauliflower shaped.

HPV virus is more common than most people think they are. Statistics show that at least 50% of all sexually active men and women will acquire the genital HPV virus at some point in their lives and that by age 50 at least 80% of all women will have acquired the viral infection. Approximately 6.2 million Americans will contract a new HPV viral infection each year.

There are no signs or symptoms associated with the HPV virus. Once contracted the virus lives in the mucous membranes or the skin of genital areas. A contagious person may have visible genital warts, but not always. These warts will be soft, moist flesh colored bumps. They may be cauliflower shaped. These warts can be removed by medications or treatments done by a medical professional. The warts may also go away if left untreated. The fact that there are no symptoms is why most people are totally unaware that they have the virus. They can however still transmit the HPV virus to a sexual partner even if they are unaware that they have the virus. It is rare but a pregnant can pass the HPV virus on to her baby as it is being born through her vaginal canal.

Most women find out that they have HPV virus when they have their pap test results told to them. There is also a separate HPV DNA test that women can be given to detect the presence of the virus. A gynecologist may do the test on women who are 30 years of age or older or who have had a mild Pap test abnormality. The HPV DNA test results can help health care providers to decide if further testing is necessary.

Most women diagnosed with the HPV virus experience that the virus will go away on it's own without any treatment. Any treatments recommended by the health care provider will be to take care of any warts that there may be or if any pre-cancerous changes are noted in the cervix. There is no "cure" for the HPV viral infection.

You can reduce your risk for contracting the HPV virus by:

1. Avoiding all sexual contact with another human being.

2. If you chose to have sexual contact with another human being make sure that you are in a mutually monogamous relationship (both of you only have each other alone as sexual partners and no others) with an uninfected partner.

3. Having sex using a latex condom does NOT protect you from the HPV virus. The virus can still occur in both the male and female partner in both the area cover by the latex condom and the areas not covered by the condom.