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Human Papilloma Virus Infection

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a virus that causes warts. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). An estimated 24 million people in the U.S. are infected with HPV. Some types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer. We are now able to test for these "high risk" HPV types when we do your pap.

HPV is a common virus that affects both females and males, approximately 26 million in the United States alone. Most types of HPV are harmless, do not cause any symptoms, and go away on their own.

About 30 types of HPV are known as genital HPV since they affect the genital area. Some types are high risk and can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that sometimes turn into cancer. Others are low risk and can cause genital warts and changes in the cervix that are benign (abnormal but noncancerous)

Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving sexual contact could get genital HPV. Because many people whom have HPV may never show any signs or symptoms, they can transmit the virus without even knowing it.

The way to determine if you have HPV is to have a Pap test and to request the HPV screening. In our office, if the woman is over 30 years old, it has become standard for us to test for this virus. The reason we wait for 30 years old, is because that most of the time women who are sexually active have contracted the HPV virus and more than not, the woman’s body can clear it on her own, however as we age, it becomes more risky.

If you want some more in depth information regarding this topic, please forward to www.thehpvtest.com or contact our office.