HAVE you heard of hpv? CAN you expalin to me what it is? How you can get treated?

Question

HOw do you get it?

Do you think girls should be taught about this in school?

Answer 1

Genital warts are caused by a group of viruses called HPV (short for human papillomavirus). There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some of them cause the regular kind of warts you see on people's hands and feet — these common warts usually are caused by types of viruses that are different from those that cause genital warts.

More than 30 types of HPV cause genital warts. Genital warts can be passed from person to person through intimate sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex).
There is no cure that will get rid of the HPV virus completely. But there are treatments that can reduce the number of warts — or help them go away faster. When the warts disappear, the HPV virus is still there, though it may not spread as easily. If you are having sex, think you may have genital warts, or if you have had a partner who may have genital warts, you need to see your doctor or gynecologist. If the warts are not obviously visible, doctors can detect the presence of HPV in girls through a Pap smear (a test that is performed during a gynecologic exam). Because HPV lives in the skin, warts can come back. So you may need to visit the doctor again. Anyone with whom you've had sex also should be checked for genital warts.

Not all bumps on a person's genitals are warts. Some can be pimples, some can be other types of infections or growths. An exam by a doctor can help determine what a bump is.

Answer 2

Purple's answer is phenomenal. I'll just add a bit.

Some types of HPV change normal cervical tissue into pre-cancerous and then cancerous tissue. It's very important that your GYN do regular pap smears so IF this change happens it's caught early. Early detention means early treatment. Everyone is different but for some women it's the difference between having an uncomfortable out-patient treatment and some extra paps vs. being told to show up at the hospital surgery on Thursday (and they mean THIS Thursday) for full hysterectomy. At my last job at a clinic, I saw both options played out and the second was really sad.

My "Human Growth and Development" class starting in elementary school covered this infection and all the rest of them, too. That was 1989 in rather conservative Omaha, Nebraska so it required that your parents sign a consent form to put you in the class. Also, most doctors try to educate women about reproductive risks and options during their annual exams. But that only works if the women are willing to talk, admit they're not clear on something, ask questions, and read the handouts. AND, of course, the women need to show up for an exam in the first place. I fully believe it should be taught. Then taught again because apparently sex ed (both harm-reduction and abstinence only) isn't sinking in. Most people don't listen.

I hope these answers help.