shal
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2000
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HPV INFORMATION - *Work Warning - Graphical Images*
Firstly - Start handling this like an adult and be rational.
HPV infections are common and are usually regarded as a nuisance rather than a serious condition.
General Information on HPV
Genital warts are small lumps that may grow on the genitals in men or women. They are caused by viruses similar to those that cause warts on hands or feet. These viruses all belong to the family called human papilloma viruses (HPV). This large family has more than 100 different members, which prefer different types of skin. For example, warts that grow on hands or feet are unlikely to grow on genital skin.
How is Genital Warts Caught?
The HPV virus is usually passed on during sexual activity. This may be through direct skin contact, or the virus may be carried in body fluids from the genital skin of one person to the genital skin of another. If the skin is broken it is more likely that an infection will start.
Once a person is infected with HPV, small lumps may appear on the skin after a few weeks. Sometimes the virus may just remain in the skin and be invisible (this is called sub-clinical infection). It is often impossible to tell how long someone may have had the virus, or when they first caught it.
HPV Statistics! - Your not alone!
HPV is common, and may be found in people of all ages. Genital HPV infection is most common among young people. One estimate is that up to 70% of all sexually active people aged 19 to 25 may have the virus at some time.
How do I know if I have HPV?
Some people may have genital warts but not be aware of them. Others may see or feel small lumps on the skin. They can range in size from almost invisible to several centimetres wide and occur in many different shapes. They can be shaped like a (tiny) cauliflower, like a pimple, be on a short stalk or lie flat. Warts often occur in several groups at a time. Most people do not feel any pain or discomfort. Others may feel some irritation or itching. Genital warts sometimes get in the way during sex.
It can be difficult to tell if a lump on the skin of your own genitals is a wart, so it is a good idea to get it checked. Your doctor or nurse can usually tell if they are warts just by looking.
Often, the first time a woman is aware of having HPV infection is when it shows up on a Pap smear. Genital warts may also appear for the first time, or grow larger, during pregnancy because of the effects of hormones.
HPV can become serious in women if left untreated!
In some women with genital warts, the virus may be found on the cervix. If HPV is found on the cervix, there is a greater chance that precancerous cells may develop on the cervix. It is important that all women with genital warts have a Pap smear done regularly. If a Pap smear shows HPV, a repeat smear will be recommended within 6 to 12 months. If these repeat smears also show HPV, your doctor may recommend colposcopy.
Precancerous changes can also occur on the skin of the vagina and vulva, and more rarely on the penis. Smoking increases the risk of developing precancerous changes.
What does Genital Warts Look Like?
Female - Warts around the Vulva.
Male - Fresh Warts on the Penis.
Can HPV be treated! YES!
If the warts bother you, you can seek treatment. There are many different types of treatment available, including chemical paints and creams, freezing, burning (cautery), or laser. Often the treatment needs to be repeated several times before the lumps disappear. Some types of chemical paints (podophyllin or podophyllotoxin) are not recommended during pregnancy.
Unfortunately there is no method of treatment that will completely cure HPV infection. After having the warts treated there may still be some virus left in the skin and there is a chance that warts may recur.
Your own body’s immune system can cure HPV infection altogether, although this may take months or years. Sometimes your body may keep the virus suppressed in the skin. In this case it is possible that the virus may become active again sometime in the future, eg if you become ill or run down.
It is important that you keep healthy to help your body fight these viruses. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains; get enough sleep and exercise; and look at ways of dealing with stress in your daily life.
Smoking cigarettes is believed to stop your body from effectively fighting infections, so quitting is a good idea.
Can Genital warts be spread to other partners?
Yes, it is possible to pass the virus on just by skin to skin contact. So the use of condoms will give some protection.
If you have been with your partner for a while, and have been having unprotected sex, then it is likely that both of you already have the same virus.
If you have, or have had, genital warts, you may be concerned about passing the virus on to a new partner. This is possible while the virus remains in the skin. Unfortunately we do not know how long this might be. Using condoms will reduce the risk of passing on genital warts, as well as reducing your risk of catching another STI. It may be difficult, but it is a good idea to talk to your partner about having had genital warts.
Is there anything else I should know?
Many people are shocked, or experience other strong feelings, when they discover they have genital warts or HPV. If you are feeling distressed, it is important to talk to your doctor, nurse or a counsellor for further information and support
Go see a doctor - Get treated! - Easy!
Cheers,
shals! :D
Firstly - Start handling this like an adult and be rational.
HPV infections are common and are usually regarded as a nuisance rather than a serious condition.
General Information on HPV
Genital warts are small lumps that may grow on the genitals in men or women. They are caused by viruses similar to those that cause warts on hands or feet. These viruses all belong to the family called human papilloma viruses (HPV). This large family has more than 100 different members, which prefer different types of skin. For example, warts that grow on hands or feet are unlikely to grow on genital skin.
How is Genital Warts Caught?
The HPV virus is usually passed on during sexual activity. This may be through direct skin contact, or the virus may be carried in body fluids from the genital skin of one person to the genital skin of another. If the skin is broken it is more likely that an infection will start.
Once a person is infected with HPV, small lumps may appear on the skin after a few weeks. Sometimes the virus may just remain in the skin and be invisible (this is called sub-clinical infection). It is often impossible to tell how long someone may have had the virus, or when they first caught it.
HPV Statistics! - Your not alone!
HPV is common, and may be found in people of all ages. Genital HPV infection is most common among young people. One estimate is that up to 70% of all sexually active people aged 19 to 25 may have the virus at some time.
How do I know if I have HPV?
Some people may have genital warts but not be aware of them. Others may see or feel small lumps on the skin. They can range in size from almost invisible to several centimetres wide and occur in many different shapes. They can be shaped like a (tiny) cauliflower, like a pimple, be on a short stalk or lie flat. Warts often occur in several groups at a time. Most people do not feel any pain or discomfort. Others may feel some irritation or itching. Genital warts sometimes get in the way during sex.
It can be difficult to tell if a lump on the skin of your own genitals is a wart, so it is a good idea to get it checked. Your doctor or nurse can usually tell if they are warts just by looking.
Often, the first time a woman is aware of having HPV infection is when it shows up on a Pap smear. Genital warts may also appear for the first time, or grow larger, during pregnancy because of the effects of hormones.
HPV can become serious in women if left untreated!
In some women with genital warts, the virus may be found on the cervix. If HPV is found on the cervix, there is a greater chance that precancerous cells may develop on the cervix. It is important that all women with genital warts have a Pap smear done regularly. If a Pap smear shows HPV, a repeat smear will be recommended within 6 to 12 months. If these repeat smears also show HPV, your doctor may recommend colposcopy.
Precancerous changes can also occur on the skin of the vagina and vulva, and more rarely on the penis. Smoking increases the risk of developing precancerous changes.
What does Genital Warts Look Like?
Female - Warts around the Vulva.
Male - Fresh Warts on the Penis.
Can HPV be treated! YES!
If the warts bother you, you can seek treatment. There are many different types of treatment available, including chemical paints and creams, freezing, burning (cautery), or laser. Often the treatment needs to be repeated several times before the lumps disappear. Some types of chemical paints (podophyllin or podophyllotoxin) are not recommended during pregnancy.
Unfortunately there is no method of treatment that will completely cure HPV infection. After having the warts treated there may still be some virus left in the skin and there is a chance that warts may recur.
Your own body’s immune system can cure HPV infection altogether, although this may take months or years. Sometimes your body may keep the virus suppressed in the skin. In this case it is possible that the virus may become active again sometime in the future, eg if you become ill or run down.
It is important that you keep healthy to help your body fight these viruses. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains; get enough sleep and exercise; and look at ways of dealing with stress in your daily life.
Smoking cigarettes is believed to stop your body from effectively fighting infections, so quitting is a good idea.
Can Genital warts be spread to other partners?
Yes, it is possible to pass the virus on just by skin to skin contact. So the use of condoms will give some protection.
If you have been with your partner for a while, and have been having unprotected sex, then it is likely that both of you already have the same virus.
If you have, or have had, genital warts, you may be concerned about passing the virus on to a new partner. This is possible while the virus remains in the skin. Unfortunately we do not know how long this might be. Using condoms will reduce the risk of passing on genital warts, as well as reducing your risk of catching another STI. It may be difficult, but it is a good idea to talk to your partner about having had genital warts.
Is there anything else I should know?
Many people are shocked, or experience other strong feelings, when they discover they have genital warts or HPV. If you are feeling distressed, it is important to talk to your doctor, nurse or a counsellor for further information and support
Go see a doctor - Get treated! - Easy!
Cheers,
shals! :D
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