HPV and women?

[meathead278]

Hello,
A very close friend of mine (female) told me the other day that her doctor told her that she has HPV. She did ask her doc alot of questions on what the future was for her and her husband and plus she did some researching on the net about it as well. From what she told me, it sounded like she should be more concerned about it then her husband. I guess women should have pap smears every 6 months to make sure that there are no signs of cervix cancer developing.
So to help her out with getting more and more info on this topic, i thought that i would place a post to get some feed back from you all.

Any feed back or experiences with HPV will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[Temple]

I had some problems with a pap and they did the freezing thing - it has been normal ever since and that was 10 years ago.

[meathead278]

Temple,
So are you saying that in time my friend may not need the freezing treatment?
Thanks. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[Temple]

No what I am saying is that she will probably need the Cryo ( freezing) but that at least in my case there were no further problems after I had it done. It is not the most pleasant thing in the world to have done but it beats the alternative.

[WarLobo]

OK, some kind sole explain this HPV thing to me. Hell, I though it was HIV miss-typed [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

LAte

Lobo

[Unity66]

certain strains of HPV are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer in women. there can be something reffered to as sub-clinical infection which it is estimated that roughly 70% of the women in the U.S. are infected.......this type is detectable only when a pap smear is abnormal. other individuals develop the 'clinical' lessions or 'warts' which can be treated--but not cured!

HPV is the most common and least well-known STD......and yes---women have more to fear from it than do men! women.......due to thier genetalia being more moist.....usually have more probs with outbreaks than do men---though usually never really severe and, once again, its treatable. ill cut and paste a good source of info for your friend.......let her know that this is really common.

im infected with a benign strain of HPV........im healthy and my immune system seems to keep it in check. ive had the cyro done once.......very minor------no further probs to speak of. temple......if you hadnt said anything i wouldnt have ever disclosed that! when i posted bout going to the dermatologist....it was because of that. my 'bumps' were so small the doc needed a magnifying glass to look at em (no jokes now....heh!!). not only did i get to have my fears assuaged.........i took cocktails advice and let insurance pick the tab up for some erymycin pads [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] its normal to feel afraid.....i cried when i found out i was a carrier....thought it would ruin my life! only people outside this board i confided in was my mom, sister and closest friend---my girlfriend already new and neither of us knows who infected who so we made an aggreement not to ever discuss it!!!!

hope this post helps.......HPV can lay dormant for years and its not possible to know who you picked it up from sexually. my derm told me that he has had ole' men come in and say 'i aint had sex in 12yrs.......yet they have a slight growth that is simply removed. ok.........im tired of writing...........hope this helps.......

btw.....over time one's body adapts and learns to live with the virus.....keeping the virus in check--temple is one such example!

in solidarity

Unity66

taken without permission:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in this country. It is estimated that as many as 40 million Americans are infected with HPV, and the incidence of this disease appears to be increasing. More than 60 types of HPV have been identified by scientists. Some types of the virus cause common skin warts. About one-third of the HPV types can be spread through sexual contact. Several types of HPV can lead to genital warts, the most recognizable sign of genital HPV infection. Certain other types of HPV have been closely associated with the development of cervical cancer and other genital cancers.

Like many STDs, HPV infection often does not cause visible symptoms. One study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported that almost half of the women infected with HPV had no obvious symptoms. Because the virus can remain latent in the skin, infected persons may not be aware of their infection and the potential risk of complications.

Genital Warts

Genital warts (condylomata acuminata or venereal warts) are caused by certain types of HPV. They are spread by sexual contact with an infected partner and are very contagious. Approximately two-thirds of persons who have sexual contact with a partner with genital warts will develop this disease, usually within 3 months of contact. It is estimated that as many as 1 million new cases of genital warts are diagnosed in the United States each year.

In women, the warts occur on the vulva, labia, inside the vagina, on the cervix, or around the anus. In men, genital warts usually appear on the tip of the penis; however, they also may be found on the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anus. Genital warts can also develop in the mouth of a person who has had oral sexual contact with an infected person. Genital warts often occur in groups and can be very tiny or can accumulate into large masses on genital tissues. Left untreated, genital warts may eventually develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. In other cases, they may disappear. However, because there is no way to predict whether the warts will grow or disappear, people who suspect that they have genital warts should be examined and treated.

Diagnosis

It is important for a person who thinks he or she may have genital warts to see a doctor so that other types of similar-looking infections or conditions can be ruled out or treated. Genital warts are usually diagnosed by direct visual examination.

Women with genital warts should be examined for possible HPV infection of the cervix. The doctor may be able to identify some otherwise invisible lesions by applying vinegar (acetic acid) to areas of suspected infection. This solution causes infected areas to whiten, which makes them more visible, particularly if a procedure called colposcopy is performed. During colposcopy, a magnifying instrument is used to view the vagina and uterine cervix. In some cases, it is necessary to do a biopsy of cervical tissue. This involves taking a small sample of tissue from the cervix and examining it under the microscope.

The possible presence of cervical HPV infection may also be indicated by a Pap smear test. A Pap smear is a microscopic examination of cells taken from the uterine cervix in order to detect cervical cancer. Abnormal Pap smear results can indicate possible HPV infection. It is important for women with abnormal Pap smears to have further examination to detect and treat cervical problems.

Several new laboratory tests can identify specific types of HPV. Such tests may be useful in determining whether the infection is likely to progress to precancerous lesions or to be transmitted to the newborn.

Treatment

Depending on factors such as their size and location, genital warts are treated in several ways. A doctor may recommend treatment with trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which is applied undiluted to the infected area and washed off several hours later. An alternative treatment is a 20 percent podophyllin solution, which is applied to the affected area and later washed off. Pregnant women should not use podophyllin because it is absorbed by the skin and may cause birth defects in babies. Applications of 5 percent 5-fluorouracil cream may also be prescribed, although, as with podophyllin, it should not be used during pregnancy.

A new treatment of external genital and perianal warts, Aldara cream, has recently been approved by the FDA. Aldara (imiquimod) cream is the newest in a class of drugs called immune response modifiers and represents the first new therapeutic approach to genital warts in five years. Aldara is a vanishing cream applied by the patient, in the privacy of the home, and is available by prescription only.

Small warts can be removed by cryosurgery (freezing) or electrocautery (burning). Surgery is occasionally needed to remove large warts that have not responded to other treatment. Doctors at some medical centers also use laser surgery to remove genital warts.

Although treatment can eliminate the warts, it does not eradicate the virus, and warts often reappear after treatment. The drug alpha interferon is used when warts have recurred after removal by traditional means. The drug is injected directly into the warts three times a week for several weeks. In studies supported by NIAID and others, investigators found that interferon treatment eliminated the warts in about half the patients. For some patients, a second course of injections may be necessary. As with other treatments for genital warts, interferon therapy does not cure the disease.

Complications

As mentioned above, scientists have found an association between several types of HPV and the development of cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer, and cancer of the penis (a rare cancer). Much more research needs to be done to clarify the role of HPV in such cancers and to explore the possible role of other factors such as cigarette smoking, the use of oral contraceptives, and the presence of other STDs in increasing a person's risk of developing genital cancers. Although most HPV infections do not progress to cancer, it is particularly important for women who have had evidence of HPV infection or genital warts to have regular Pap smears. Potentially precancerous cervical disease is readily treatable.

btw.....research herbal remedies which bolster the immune system such as echinacea, goldenseal, garlic......etc. im a firm believer in taking a proactive role with regards to one's health!!!!!

Unity66

[This message was edited by Unity66 on 05-10-2001 at 02:09 AM.]

[Temple]

I think the thing about HPV that flips everyone out is the STD part of it. I was absolutely mortified but considering how fast I lived when I was young I don't know why. My MD also told me that he would guess that 80% of college age adults have it and he also said "if it wasn't extremely common why do you think we recommend that all women have an annual pap smear?" I personally know at least 15 women who have had the cryo surgery. The thing about it is that I know I had it for at least three years before I had an abnormal pap and I have had 10 normal paps since. It is not something that they can test for so you can have it for years but until it shows up as cellular change or in some strains lesions or warts you or your doctor won't know. I currently have a pap every year and my MD feels comfortable letting me go to an every other year schedule but I think I will have it done yearly just to be sure.

[Unity66]

i know full well what you mean temple.......ive been in a monogamous relationship for over a year now......yet i lived a wild time between the ages of 16-24. i was always careful, and used latex condoms with parterns whom were nothing more than 'casual' sex!! oh well.........i had alot of fun and lived my adolescence to its fullest so i have no regrets!!!

thats life.....and things could be ALOT worse, but we take the good with the bad and keep our heads up high when faced with obstacles. life throws us many curve-balls and sometimes we have no choice but to face that which we do not want........thanx for your response temple.......i was hoping someone would respond after i self-disclosed late last night (when i should have been studying for finals). good news is i kept my A in both classes so its been a good day..........time to train back/tris, eat......and relax!!!!

in solidarity

Unity66

[meathead278]

God thank you all for everything and the info that you gave to me on this! This forum is truly the best!
I will copy all of these comments and give them to my friend.
Thanks again for taking your time out to give me some more info on this topic. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]