HAVE YOU HAD AN UNPROTECTED SEX BEFORE?.DO YOU FEEL ITCHY?...WHY THESE QUESTIONS?..SIMPLE..GENITAL WARTS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR AND IS IT EASILY DIAGNOSED.I THINK YOU SHOULD READ THIS FOR MORE INFO

HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

It is also known as ‘genital warts” . It is one of the most common STD’s that affects men and women.

So why worry about HPV?

•          There are over 100 different types of the HPV virus - most types are totally harmless.

•          Over 30 types of the HPV virus are sexually transmitted and affect the area between the genitals and the anus.

•          Some types are considered “low risk” and can cause warts on the anus, vagina, vulva, penis and thighs.

•          Other types are considered “high risk” and can cause pre-cancerous lesions and can lead to cancer of the cervix, anus and other genital areas.

Genital HPV Infection

Its peak is prevalence between ages of 22 and 25.The rates decreases with increasing age

·         20-25% to 45% cumulative in ages 20-25

·         5% of women HPV + ages 30 and older

How is HPV transmitted?

It can be easily transmitted during oral, vaginal and anal sex. HPV lives and multiplies in living cells. It call all be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

HPV Transmission- How do you get HPV?

•          Anyone who has ever had a sexual encounter, even without penetration, can contract HPV.

•          Most common transmission is by skin-to-skin contact with the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva, or anus of an infected person.

•          Kissing or touching a partner’s genitals with the mouth can also transmit the HPV virus.

Small tears (micro trauma) of genital mucosa during intercourse may facilitate HPV transmission. It can be found in semen. It can be spread from one genital area to another by ‘’viral seeding’’. Condoms are said to reduce risk, but do not totally prevent transmission.

Why is HPV so prevalent?

There are 2 main reasons

·         More sexual partners

·         Less condom use

How do you know you have HPV?

•          There are no tests to detect the HPV virus.

•          Most people who contract HPV will never know they have it.

•          Having HPV does not mean you have a disease – most people don’t have any signs or symptoms.

•          Some low risk types cause genital and anal warts.

•          In rare instances, the virus persists, especially the high risk types of the HPV virus that can develop pre-cancerous lesions and cancer.

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are unsightly cauliflower-like growths.In women, genital warts can appear on the vulva, urethra, cervix, vagina, anus or thighs.In men, warts can appear on the penis, scrotum, anus or thighs.Genital and anal warts are very contagious and are spread during oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner.

What if you have genital or anal warts?

Genital and anal warts sometimes disappear without treatment. Sometimes genital warts last for years. There are many treatments that can be done at home or in your doctor’s office. On average it takes about 8 months to get rid of warts. Genital and anal warts can sometimes come back.

High risk types of the HPV virus are linked to cervical cancer as well as cancers of the penis, of the anus and other genital cancers.

In women, pre-cancerous cells can be detected in the cervix by a Pap test.

It is unlikely that a young girl will be diagnosed with cervical cancer as it takes many years for a cancer to develop.

What is a Pap test ?

•          A Pap test is an examination of a woman’s internal genital organs.

•          It is the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix that could potentially develop into cancer later in life.

•          A girl should have her first Pap test within 3 years of becoming sexually active.

Common Symptoms of Genital

Ø  Warts in Males & Females

Ø  The symptoms may include single or multiple fleshy growths around the penis, scrotum,groin, vulva,vagina, anus, and/or urethra

Ø  They may also include: itching, bleeding, or burning, and pain

Ø  The symptoms may recur from time to time

Complications of Genital Warts(if untreated)

It may destroy body tissue around thegenitals and anus

For pregnant women:Delivery complications or need for C-section

Juvenile Onset Recurrent Respiratory,Papillomatosis (JO-RRP)

Can you prevent HPV?

1. Absolutely no skin-to-skin sexual contact.
2. One sexual / intimate partner forever.
3. The more sexual partners, the higher the chance of contracting HPV.
4. Using condoms is excellent protection against STI, but does not cover all the skin.
5. Pap testing will detect abnormal cells.
6. Vaccination is now available to prevent certain low risk types that cause genital warts certain high risk types that cause cancer.

BY : OPEOLUWA ADETOLA