HPV: Do You Have It?

HPV infection is common – so common that more than 20 million United States citizens are infected. More than 30 of the 100 HPV strains can be transmitted through sexual activity. HPV can also cause genital warts and abnormal cellular mutation within the cervix as well as other areas of the genitals that may lead to cancer or precancerous cells.

While HPV has no cure it should be mentioned that HPV usually leaves the body fully in the course of two months to two years. However, in the event that treatment is required then there are options available towards the treatment of the infection and its symptoms. As more and more people are vaccinated with HPV vaccines then the rate of HPV infection can be reduced significantly.

Finding A Cure

Currently, researchers and physicians have found that treating HPV is primarily based on treating symptoms of the infection rather than the infection itself. These symptoms include the usual genital warts associated that are associated with low risk and non-cancerous HPV strains and the precancerous symptomatic changes associated with the high risk strains of HPV.

In many cases of HPV, merely testing positive does not necessarily mean that the patient will require immediate treatment. That is not to say that your physician won’t require monitor and testing for precancerous symptoms. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure about the specific strain of HPV you may have contracted.

There are currently preventative chemicals that are shown to block HPV transmission, if and only if they are applied to the genitals prior to any sexual contact. Known as topical microbicides, they are currently being tested by the Food and Drug Administration. There are also some sexual lubricants containing a compound called carrageenan that inhibits HPV infection.