Spring Break
HPV facts, advice on what to do once infected
Kathy Greaves
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Forum
Dear Dr. Sex,
Last week I had a pap smear and then I got a phone call that was not expected. They said I tested positive for HPV and that I have to come back in.
I'm not really sure what exactly I have. I know it is the human papillomavirus and know it causes cervical cancer. I have heard it will never go away and I have also heard it does go away. Can it be treated? Will my partner have it and will anyone I have sex with now as well contract HPV?
Thank you for your time. I'm just scared and I never thought this would happen to me.
Signed, Scared
Dear Scared,
You are not alone in thinking that "this" would never happen to you. Most people don't think they will ever contract an STD or an STI. Unfortunately, the statistics indicate otherwise. Every year in the U.S., approximately 19 million new cases are diagnosed and over 65 million Americans are living with an incurable STI (HIV, Herpes, HPV and Hepatitis B). Approximately half of all people will contract an STI at some point in their life, and individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 are at highest risk. The most common STIs for these individuals are Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and HPV.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), or genital warts, is a viral infection. As such, there is no cure, but rather various treatments available. Researchers estimate that up to 75 percent of Americans of reproductive age may be infected with the virus, 20 million are currently infected, and 6 million new cases are identified each year. There are over 100 strains of HPV and about 30 of them can be sexually transmitted. More importantly, four strains are linked to cervical cancer. Although less common, these strains are also linked to cancer of the mouth, throat and anus.
HPV is easily transmitted for a couple of reasons. First, condoms don't always protect you as warts can appear on the scrotal sac, the labia or the perineum (taint). Second, warts usually don't appear until four to 12 weeks after exposure, so infected individuals continue to have sex, unprotected or not, after exposure without knowing they are infected.
Last week I had a pap smear and then I got a phone call that was not expected. They said I tested positive for HPV and that I have to come back in.
I'm not really sure what exactly I have. I know it is the human papillomavirus and know it causes cervical cancer. I have heard it will never go away and I have also heard it does go away. Can it be treated? Will my partner have it and will anyone I have sex with now as well contract HPV?
Thank you for your time. I'm just scared and I never thought this would happen to me.
Signed, Scared
Dear Scared,
You are not alone in thinking that "this" would never happen to you. Most people don't think they will ever contract an STD or an STI. Unfortunately, the statistics indicate otherwise. Every year in the U.S., approximately 19 million new cases are diagnosed and over 65 million Americans are living with an incurable STI (HIV, Herpes, HPV and Hepatitis B). Approximately half of all people will contract an STI at some point in their life, and individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 are at highest risk. The most common STIs for these individuals are Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and HPV.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), or genital warts, is a viral infection. As such, there is no cure, but rather various treatments available. Researchers estimate that up to 75 percent of Americans of reproductive age may be infected with the virus, 20 million are currently infected, and 6 million new cases are identified each year. There are over 100 strains of HPV and about 30 of them can be sexually transmitted. More importantly, four strains are linked to cervical cancer. Although less common, these strains are also linked to cancer of the mouth, throat and anus.
HPV is easily transmitted for a couple of reasons. First, condoms don't always protect you as warts can appear on the scrotal sac, the labia or the perineum (taint). Second, warts usually don't appear until four to 12 weeks after exposure, so infected individuals continue to have sex, unprotected or not, after exposure without knowing they are infected.
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