What is HPV?
HPV stands for human papilloma virus. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some produce warts - plantar warts on the feet, common hand warts, juvenile warts, butcher's warts, and genital warts.
About 30 types of HPV can infect the genital area - the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum.
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Some types may cause genital warts.
·Some types may cause changes in cells. These types increase the risk of cervical and certain other cancers.
·Most types seem to have no harmful effect at all.
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How many people have genital HPV infections?
Genital HPV infections are very common. Up to 20 million people in the U.S. have them. But most don't know it.
How do genital HPV infections spread?
Vaginal, anal, and oral sex play spread genital HPV infections. In rare cases, sex play without intercourse may also cause transmission of HPV, but this is not as likely.
How can I avoid getting a genital HPV infection?
Condoms can reduce the risk of HPV infection if they are used every time. But they are not as effective against HPV as they are against more serious infections, such as HIV.
Does HPV cause cervical cancer?
A small number of genital HPVs is linked to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. Long-term HPV infections increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Most women recover from HPV infections with no health problems at all. It is not known why some women develop long-term HPV infection, pre-cancerous abnormal cell changes, or cervical cancer.
Most HPV infections go away by themselves within six months. Many women develop immunity - a natural protection - against different types of HPV.
How do I protect myself against cervical cancer?
Pap tests are the best protection against cervical cancer. They can find very early pre-cancerous conditions - which are easily treated. All sexually active women - especially those who have had genital warts or other sexually transmitted infections - should get a Pap test at least once a year.
Pap tests can also detect
·infections and inflammations of the cervix. (Pap tests cannot identify specific sexually transmitted infections, but they can detect symptoms.)
·thinning of the cervical tissue from lack of estrogen
A woman can lower her risk of cervical cancer by:
·practicing abstinence
·having sex play that does not include vaginal intercourse
·having regular Pap tests to check for early symptoms
·using condoms every time to reduce the risk of infection
·eating a diet high in beta-carotene and the vitamin B known as folic acid. (Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables - mangoes, corn, squash, tomatoes - and dark-green, leafy vegetables like collard greens have lots of beta-carotene. Whole grains, beans, peanuts, and dark-green, leafy vegetables are loaded with folic acid.)
·avoiding cigarette smoking, which increases the risk of cervical cancer
