Volume 9, Number 4 SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES January 2005
HP WHAT?
Herpes, HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea are all sexually transmitted diseases (STD) that most people have heard of. However, when it comes to the human papillomavirus, (HPV), the most prevalent STD, most people are clueless. This lack of knowledge often leads to shock and confusion when a woman is diagnosed with HPV.
HPV is very common. In fact, it is estimated that 75 % of all sexually active individuals will be infected with it some time in their lives. The prevalence of the virus is attributed to the fact that HPV is easily spread through direct skin to skin contact during sexual activity. There are approximately 100 different strains of HPV. Some types only affect the genital area and cause warts. The other strains of HPV cause no symptoms and are only detected by lab tests. Recent scientific advances have established that some of these asymptomatic strains of HPV are the primary cause of cervical cancer. In most cases, a woman’s immune system will keep the virus (including the cancer-related HPV types) under control or get rid of it completely. However, if the HPV infection does not go away after a few years there is a good chance of developing cellular changes that may lead to cervical cancer. The traditional test for early detection of these cellular changes is the Pap test. It is usually done as part of a woman’s annual exam by her gynecologist. Now there is an additional test that can diagnose an HPV infection and identify which strains are present. Medical policy makers are currently debating whether to require screening and reporting for HPV.
Even though men can be infected with and transmit HPV they do not seem to face the same health risks as women. Men can get genital warts, but there is no indication at this point, that there is any connection between penile or rectal cancers and the virus in men. Screening for the virus in men is also a problem because research has shown that the HPV test usually shows false negative results.
There is currently no treatment available for HPV. However, good treatments do exist for the problems HPV can cause, such as cervical cell changes and genital warts. The goal of any treatment is to remove the abnormal cells. There are also some things that a person can do to reduce the risks of HPV:
• Abstinence is always the best protection against HPV, as well as any other STDs.
• Condoms, used properly, may help provide minimal protection. Condoms do not cover all genital skin, so they don’t give 100% protection.
• Limiting sexual activity to within a mutually monogamous relationship. Women who have multiple partners are at higher risk for getting any STD and for developing cervical cancer.
• Having regular (annual) pelvic exams that include
a Pap test. These exams should begin when a woman is 21 or earlier if she
is sexually active.