HPV or gentital warts?

Protect your self during sex. 1 out of every two men have HPV and 1 in four women have it. HPV or Human Papillary Virus commonly called genital warts is linked to cervical cancer in women and is mostly undetectable on men. So ladies if you have had sex with more than one man odds are you have HPV. Does anyone find this frightening?

Like Joseph implies, HPV is a very common virus. The CDC estimates that 80% of women will contract this virus by age 50. However, most of these infections go away or are suppressed by the body within one to two years without causing any problems that require treatment.

There are more than 100 types of HPV, with approximately 30 strains that affect the genital area. These 30 strains are divided into two groups: low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV. Low-risk HPV cannot cause cervical cancer but may cause genital warts. High-risk HPV can cause harmful changes on the cervix that may develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.

HPV is transmitted through intimate, skin-to-skin (genital) contact. Thus, the virus lives on the top layer of the skin, not the bloodstream or any internal organs. Condom use is highly recommended, but it is important to remember that they do not provide complete protection. This is because condoms do not cover the entire genital region. There is a vaccine for females that can prevent against certain strains of HPV, and it is recommended that women age 30 and older receive an HPV test with their Pap smear. There is currently no FDA approved HPV test for men.

If anyone would like to learn more about cervical cancer and/or HPV in men and women, visit: http://www.theHPVtest.com

- Tracey from theHPVtest.com

According to the CDC:

"Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year."

Sometimes there are no symptoms, sometimes they are like having the flu.

Know the facts and educate yourself. Annual pap tests are a must to be safe. Even married women that have sex with only their husbands get them.

Don't forget that Gardasil shot!