Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a term that refers to a group of more than 100 different strains of viruses. HPV is very common; as many as 20 million Americans have HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with an additional 6.2 million people diagnosed each year. Most forms of HPV are harmless and the body recovers on its own without treatment, however, certain strains of the virus can cause potentially life-threatening side effects.
Treatment for HPV
As of July 2009, there is no cure or treatment from HPV. Recovery from the virus either occurs naturally, as the body eliminates the harmless strains on its own, or the person is infected for life. Approximately 50 percent of all sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives, but unless the virus causes complications, many will never even know they are infected and the body will simply fight off the virus itself.
Complications of HPV
Although the body recovers from the vast majority of the 100 strains of HPV on its own, four strains are considered to be high risk and the body is generally unable to fight them off. These strains of HPV are HPV Type 6, 11, 6 and 18, and they are responsible for the majority of cases of genital warts and cervical cancer diagnosed annually. Although these high-risk strains are not treatable and will remain in your body, some of the side effects (including genital warts and cervical cancer) can be either treated or prevented.
Treating Genital Warts Caused by HPV
While the specific HPV strain that causes genital warts can't be treated and the body does not recover from the virus itself, the warts can be treated. Cyrosurgery (freezing of the warts) and laser surgery can remove the warts. Typically, the warts need to be treated by a doctor in order to recover from an outbreak. Over-the-counter wart medications designed for use on the hands or feet should not be used to attempt to cure genital warts.
Treating Pre-Cancerous Cell Changes Caused by HPV
Like genital warts, certain strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer are not treatable. However, regular annual pap tests can catch cell changes that lead to cervical cancer early, and the abnormal cells can be removed, allowing recovery from this side effect of HPV before the cervical cancer occurs. A pap test is designed to catch abnormal cell changes in the cervix caused by high-risk HPV. When abnormal cells are identified, they can be removed by cyrosurgery (freezing of the cells) or laser surgery. Typically, the patient has a full recovery after the abnormal cells are removed, and fertility is preserved. However, because the underlying HPV remains and is not treatable, regular screening should continue to ensure the abnormal cells do not return.
Preventing HPV
Because a full recovery from certain HPV virus strains is not possible, prevention is the best option to avoid HPV and its complications. A vaccination, called Gardasil, is available for some women. Engaging in safe sex may help protect against HPV, but a condom can't prevent the transmission of the virus, which spreads with skin-to-skin contact. Avoiding high-risk sexual behaviors, like multiple partners, may be the only way to ensure that you don't catch the HPV virus.
Tags: cervical cancer, abnormal cells, genital warts, , body recovers
