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Description
of the Disease
The chief health threat of HPV is that they can
lead to cervical cancer in women. In the U.S., about 20
million people are infected with this illness. It is estimated
that 50% of sexually active men and women will acquire HPV infection in their
lifetime. HPV can also cause genital warts. Most of the time the warts clear up on their own.
You can have HPV and not have visible warts.
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Related Health
Department Web Links
Related
Outside Websites
Washington
State Department of Health Websites
Center
for Disease Control Website Links
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What
services are provided by Health Department
professionals for Cowlitz County?
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Clinical treatment of
sexually transmitted infections
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Distribution of
condoms.
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Consultation with
Public Health Nurses regarding diagnosis, symptoms, prevention,
treatment and information for the general public.
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Referrals to private health care providers for treatment.
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Transmission
HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact.
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Populations
At Risk
Any sexually active
person can be infected with HPV.
Young adults between 20-29 years of age are particularly at high risk.
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Symptoms
There are many strains of HPV, only some of which
cause genital warts. Many times HPV infection is not visible.
Genital warts are
single or multiple soft pink growths or cauliflower-shaped bumps that
appear in the
genital and rectal area. These
warts tend to reoccur, and can cause dyspareunia (pain during or
after sexual intercourse) and rectal
pain.
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Potential
Complications
HPV can lead to
cervical cancer and/or abnormal pap smears. Sexually active women
should have pap smears on a regular basis to screen for cancerous
and pre-cancerous conditions.
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Prevention
The
surest way to avoid HPV is to abstain
from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term monogamous
relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known
to be uninfected. The
effect of the use of latex male condoms is unknown, although condom
use is associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer, which is
related to HPV.
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Diagnosis
& Treatment
Genital warts are
diagnosed by visual inspection. Treatment consists of external
application of medication to the area affected. Sometimes the bumps will disappear on their
own.
HPV
can also be detected with a Pap smear.
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