The common virus Human Papillomavirus or HPV is a contagious type which can be transmitted thru sexual contact. These usually appear as warts found in genitals or as general warts found in hands and feet and other parts of the body. The common symptoms experienced are itchiness, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding for women and swollen lymph nodes on the genitals for men.

There is no complete cure to totally eliminate HPV infection. The body’s immune system helps clear away some infection without necessary treatment. But, there are methods to prevent and to treat HPV as it can still cause harm to the overall health of the person.

The woman needs some special screening to treat HPV. There are some common tests such as the Pap smear examination where the doctor takes some swab samples from the cervix to check for infection. This is recommended for sexually active women. There is also the blood test that can detect the presence of HPV infection. Further tests such as biopsy and colposcopy are recommended if HPV infections are considered severe.

Treatments can also be done thru medications by taking antibiotics prescribed by the doctor. There are vaccines now available for women such as Gardasil and Cervarix which are a series of injections given in a 6 month period. These injections protect women from occurring and persistent infections.

Genital warts caused by HPV can be treated with medicated cream prescribed by a doctor. There are also surgical procedures recommended such as excision or physical removal of the warts, electrocautery which includes applying heat by using an electrically heated metal tool to the warts; this causes some burning so smell of burnt flesh is slightly experienced. A similar procedure to this is the electrosurgical excision wherein a special wire is used to remove the wart instead of burning it. Then, there is the laser method which can get rid of the warts by the use of a laser machine. The freezing or cryosurgery is a method to kill HPV cells by applying liquid nitrogen to the infected part. These methods also help to kill early cancer cells which can be a possibility with HPV infection especially among women.

Skin warts caused by the HPV virus can be treated with medicated creams and similar surgical procedures depending on the size of the warts. The spread of warts on other external parts of the body can be prevented by keeping hands and feet clean always and the wearing of clean shoes or sandals to protect the feet. It is a good reminder to avoid skin to skin contact with people who have open warts or sores on the skin.

Prevention methods recommended are the practice of safe sex by using condoms. The practice of monogamy or sticking to one partner is highly recommended; and self-abstinence from sex in case the person is infected with HPV. The practice of good personal hygiene is also advised. Overall, boosting the immune system would help keep those infections away.

Jonathan Pitts

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