What Is HPV) (Human Papilloma Virus?

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Lopez 1 Marisol Lopez Bio 160 May 12, 2014 HPV What is HPV? There are over 100 types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). This virus affects the skin and moist membranes that line the body such as the mouth, throat, fingers, nails, cervix, and anus. Between 30 and 40 of the 100 viruses can affect the genital area; for the most part it causes genital warts. Human Papilloma Virus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases In the United States, according to various studies it is estimated that at least 50% of sexually active people will get some type of genital Hpv at some time in their lives. People can get Hpv and have the virus for years, even pass it on to their sex partners without even knowing it that is because the virus often does not show any symptoms. It is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer”. (“HPV fact sheet” 2012). Many people do not develop any symptoms or any health problems at the beginning, in most cases the body’s immune system gets rid of the virus in two years. Although there is no way to know who will develop health problems. Some cases will develop genital warts in both males and females, the warts can also appear in the mouth, throat, anus, fingers, nails and cervix. Other types of HPV may cause the cells in the body to turn abnormal, which might lead to cervical cancer overtime if left untreated. The types of HPV that causes genital warts are not the same as the ones that can cause cancer. Types of HPV that can cause cancer are called High Risk HPV’s. Genital Warts: About 32 million cases of genital warts are diagnosed every year w... ... middle of paper ... ...g in the injected area. Gardasil is not 100% effective, and it may not protect against all HPV types, including high risk HPV's. This vaccine is not meant to cure any existing HPV virus. The vaccine is given in 3 shots, each with a 6- month period of time in between. People can get it as early as 9 years of age, both male and female, all the way to age 26. Gardasil is covered by most health insurances. For those uninsured Merck is willing to provide vaccines, since Gardasil is not very cheap (“Learn about Gardasil” 2012). WORKS CITED • “ Learn about Gardasil” http://www.gardasil.com/ 2012 • “Genital Warts” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001889/ 2012 • “High Risk Hpv’s” http://hpv.emedtv.com/hpv/high-risk-hpv.html 2013 • “HPV Fact sheet” http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm 2012 • “RRP” http://www.rrpf.org/whatisRRP.html 2004

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