Human Pailloma Virus (HPV) is a virus that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. There are over 40 types of HPV which affects males and females and it is the most common STI (sexually transmitted infection). Signs and symptoms in men may never develop, but in cases that do genital warts will appear on the penis, testicles, groin thighs, or in/ around the anus which may appear within weeks or months. These can be removed by the provider or the patient themselves with a treatment that is applied. Another symptom that are seen in men is anal cancer which may include itching, bleeding or discharge, swollen lymph nodes, or change in bowel habits. Prevention of HPV is done by immunizing boys 11 or 12 and young males through the age 21. The vaccine is called Gardasil which is recommended by the CDC and given in a 6 month period that is given in a total of 3 shots. The only side affect is soreness at the injection site. Gardasil protects against genital warts.
In women, cervical cancer screenings are imperative. This is about the only test that could be performed on women to detect HPV. The vaccines for women are Cervarix and Gardasil which the CDC recommends for girls 11 and 12 and females 13 through 26 who didn’t got the shots when they were younger. As a matter of fact these immunizations can be given to girls as young as 9.
Some controversy has arisen in the challenge of the HPV vaccine that has sparked deliberations which includes; Health risks some are concerned that the vaccine doesn’t provide enough protection since it don’t prevent all strains of the disease. In addition, there have been controversies about given the vaccine to younger kids. Some parents have indicated within the age range it’s too early to vaccinate a child for an STD. While others feel it will encourage teens to be more sexually promiscuous.
I have a friend open up to me and acknowledged that she was diagnosed with HPV after the birth of her twin girls. During that time she
Cited: "Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC, 23 02 2012. Web. 29 Jul 2013. .