High Risk HPV Treatment

HPV, also known as human papillomavirus, is the most commonly known sexually transmitted disease. It affects both men and women across a broad age range of the U.S. population. There are more than 100 types of the virus, and of those 100 types, there are approximately 13 varieties that are considered high risk and that may lead to cervical and other types of cancer. On some occasions, certain strains of HPV may go away on their own. There are treatments available to help prevent certain strains of the virus, but human papillomavirus is not curable.

Contracting Human Papillomavirus

• HPV is spread the same way as any other sexually transmitted disease--through genital skin, mucous membranes or bodily fluids of an infected person. It can be passed through vaginal and anal intercourse, and through oral sex. Keep in mind that using protection does not always protect against contracting the virus. The virus can often infect the skin that is not covered by protection and many people do not even know that they have been infected by the virus because it often has no symptoms. However, there are certain diseases that are affiliated with human papillamovirus.

High-Risk Human Papillomavirus

• There are many types of the virus that are considered high risk. If the body cannot clear the high-risk infection on its own, the infection can lead to abnormal cells on and in the body. These abnormal cells can lead to cervical cancer and other types of cancer, such as cancer of the penis, vulva, anus and vagina. These strains include human papillomavirus 16 and 18, which have been known to cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers. The other known high-risk human papillomavirus strains are 31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52 and 58.

Genital Warts

• Strains of human papillomavirus--for example, strains 6 and 11--are considered low-risk and cause approximately 90 percent of genital warts. They are not often cancerous and often look like little bumps or growths resembling cauliflower. They can be rather small or they can grow into large clusters, which can often be spread to the hands and feet. Even though genital warts are considered a low-risk form of the HPV, they are still a great health concern and need to be treated by a doctor.

Treatment

• HPV cannot be cured, but diseases associated with the virus can be treated. Gardasil is a vaccine that has been created to help prevent four strains of the human papillomavirus, types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Of the four types, two cause cervical cancer and two cause genital warts. There are many treatments for the diseases associated with HPV. Cryosurgery is done to freeze off warts with liquid nitrogen, loop electrosurgical excision procedure uses a wire loop to remove abnormal cells, electrocautery is a process that uses an electric current to burn off genital warts, laser therapy uses a light that illuminates abnormal cells and warts, and last but not least, prescription cream can be prescribed by a doctor to help with genital warts. It is reminded that over-the-counter medication should not be used for the treatment of genital warts.

Consulting a Physician and Tests

• If you think you have contracted HPV or you think you may have symptoms, you should immediately consult with your family physician. After making an appointment, you can expect the following tests: a pap test, a colposcopy and an HPV DNA test. Now, you must remember most people do not even know they have the virus. It is usually found at the yearly pap test and can be rather surprising. There has not yet been a test approved for men, because there has yet to be developed an effective way to collect a sample from a male's genital area.