Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that is highly prevalent, yet often misunderstood. Recent scientific advances have established that certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer.(ASHA 2006). Approximately 5.5 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV occur in the U.S. each year. Annual medical costs for treating symptoms of HPV infection in the U.S.are estimated at $1.6 billion and the cost of the cervical cancer screening program is $5 billion.(ASHA2006). In addition to cervical cancer, anal and penile cancers are uncommon, HPV can put men at risk for these cancers.(ASHA 200 ...view middle of the document...
(ASHA 2006).Many are probably wondering how you can get HPV. There are really only two words that can describe it, and that is DIRECT CONTACT. By direct contact I mean skin-to-skin, not by bodily fluid exchange. The infection is almost always sexually transmitted, but the incubation period is variable and it is often difficult to determine the source of the infection. Within ongoing relationships, sex partners usually are infected by the time of the patients's diagnosis, although they may have no symptoms or signs of infection.(CDC 2005). HPV can be spread to or from the genitals,anus, mouth or throat during any type of sexual activities. (CDC 2005) Even though there are well over 100 different types; the only two that cause visible warts are types eleven and six. Genital HPV is common among persons who have been sexually active and because the duration of infectivity is unknown. Even though you can get the infection in your mouth and the throat, the chances of you contracting it is very rare. Once the infection occurs, it can spread to the gentials or to the anal area. You can also spread the virus even if you do not have any symptoms of infection or any visible warts. A pregnant women can infect her child during vaginal delivery; although this is very rare. The presence of gential warts does not mean that the mother should have a C-Section, unless a vaginal delivery would cause the warts to bleed excessively.
