HPV, or Human Papallimo Virus, is becoming a serious problem. Of the 100 known HPV types, 30 of them are transmitted sexually. Thousands of new cases of HPV are found each year, and a high percentage of adults have dealt with the infection at some time in their lives. HPV is a growing problem. When someone gets an HPV infection, there are often no symptoms and the infection will often heal on its own. However, there are certain kinds that can cause a negative pap test and other problems such as cancer or genital warts. Although HPV can cause certain genital cancers, it is rare. It is interesting to note that even if you use a condom, this does not guarantee that you will not get the infection. It is simply not known how condom use affects your HPV risk. Your best bet is to see a doctor regularly. If caught early, you may be able to prevent the infection from getting too serious. However, your best bet in preventing HPV is to be in a monogamous relationship with someone who does not have it. Right now, only women can get tested since there are no tests for men that will detect it. It can show up on a simple Pap test or on a DNA test. But it is often problematic because unless you have warts or cancer, there are generally no symptoms. A good defense against HPV is to prevent it by not having multiple sexual partners. You can also use a condom, though it hasn't been confirmed how well this works at preventing HPV. If you are concerned, only females can be affected. Also, HPV usually clears up on its own, but it can cause other problems, such as cervical cancer and genital warts. |
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