By this point, we have all heard of Human Papillomavirus, or more commonly called HPV. Magazines from teen to glamour to fitness have done articles explaining the basics of the mysterious HPV. So what is it, you ask? HPV is a viral inflectional that is passed from person to person by sexual contact of any kind. HPV happens to be commonly on of the most sexually transmitted infections that occur in the United States, and can affect anyone, man or woman. You are at risk, especially if you don’t know the facts.

What are the risk factors of HPV?

• Early age of first sexual intercourse experience.
• History of having numerous sex partners.
• Having a partner that has many other partners sexually.
• Oral contraceptive use.
• High parity.
• Lower socioeconomic class.
• Poor diet.
• Having unprotected sex.

How can I protect myself of getting HPV?

• Using latex condoms.
• Abstinence.
• Reduce the number of sexually partners.
• Have mutually monogamous relationships.

Are there some signs of HPV?

People generally don’t know that they are infected since there are usually no visible symptoms. Some people do get genital warts. Some people have pap smears that detect pre-cancerous changes in the body and come back as abnormal. Genital warts are very contagious, and generally described as Cauliflower looking, or mole shaped swellings.

Warts are usually diagnosed by a doctor by inspection visually, and treatment is easy. Some treatments include applying medication, or health care administered surgical procedures.

How do you get an HPV infection?

HPV is acquired by genital contact. Genital contact includes genital- genital, genital-anus, and sometime (but very rarely) oral. Most HPV infections show no signs, so it is easy to transfer to another partner. Most people are unaware they are even infected.

How do you cure HP?

No known cure is known at this time. HPV usually goes away by itself, without any harmful effects. There are cures for the genital warts caused by HPV, including:

Topical treatments

• Freezing (cryosurgery)
• Burning
• Laser

What is the connection between cervical cancer and HPV?

Abnormalities in pap smear tests can be cause by HPV. Most of the time, this does not have serious consequences. In some strains of HPV, it can lead to cervical cancer. A high risk kind of HPV and persistent infection leads to cancer of the cervix. You increase chances of preventing cervical cancer by getting yearly Pap smear tests and medical follow ups.

Learn more about ways to boost your immune system naturally here.

Sources:
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/8/7/615
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genital-warts/DS00087/DSECTION=4