HPV or the human papillomavirus is a common infection that affects about twenty million Americans. It can affect the skin and mucous membranes. While HPV often shows no signs or symptoms at all, it can manifest as warts. Some strains of HPV can actually cause cancer. The human papillomavirus is transmitted from person to person via skin to skin contact. At least thirty to forty strains of HPV are transmitted sexually. While there is no hpv treatment yet, it is often non consequential, clears on its own, or is easily treated with topical solution or minor medical procedures.
Many different strains of the human papillomavirus exist and the virus type dictates the course of treatment. The type of HPV is usually distinguished by the symptoms it presents. Some symptoms, like plantar warts, common warts and genital warts are readily attributed to the correct HPV strain. Other strains may not present any identifiable symptom. These are mostly discovered during Pap smears or other routine tests. Other rarer strains cause respiratory papillomatosis. In immunocompromised, HPV causes epidermodysplasia verruciformis which results in skin lesions.
The most common method of HPV cure is the wait and see option. Often, the infection will clear on its own. The bodys immune system eradicates the virus and heals the affected cells. This is seen commonly in women who have had an abnormal Pap smear. When they are tested again (usually one to two years later), they are found to be virus free.
Cryotherapy is a treatment option that removes the affected tissue with low temperatures. A doctor uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the abnormal cells and surrounding area, destroying the tissue and preventing re growth. This method is often employed because of its efficiency and low risk of side effects. The procedure is simple and virtually painless.
Another option is called conization. Conization is often used as a diagnostic tool, but is employed in HPV treatment as well. The procedure excises a cone shaped section of tissue that can be tested for specific HPV strains. Therapeutically, the doctor will try to remove all irregular cells. Women subject to cervical conization are at risk for cervical stenosis. This can result in endometriosis (abnormal cell growth in and around the uterine cavity). Cervical conization causes incompetent cervix in some pregnant women. This disorder often results in preterm birth and miscarriage.
LEEP or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is something that has seen more implementation in recent years. The procedure uses electrical currents to remove abnormal cells. The doctor performs the procedure while the patient is under local, or in more extreme cases general, anesthetic. LEEP can cut and cauterizes at the same time which makes it a popular option. While it is safer than conization, LEEP can cause infection and hemorrhaging.
Your doctor can also prescribe a topical agent to treat HPV symptoms. Two types of topical applicants exist: one to destroy affected tissue, and another to aid the immune system in fighting off the infection. Both are initially effective, but the warts removed almost always reappear. In addition, topical solutions for HPV cause skin irritation, sores, and inflammation in many patients.
No HPV cure has yet been found, but there are abundant treatment options available. These different options can decrease HPV symptoms and sometimes remove them altogether.
Many different strains of the human papillomavirus exist and the virus type dictates the course of treatment. The type of HPV is usually distinguished by the symptoms it presents. Some symptoms, like plantar warts, common warts and genital warts are readily attributed to the correct HPV strain. Other strains may not present any identifiable symptom. These are mostly discovered during Pap smears or other routine tests. Other rarer strains cause respiratory papillomatosis. In immunocompromised, HPV causes epidermodysplasia verruciformis which results in skin lesions.
The most common method of HPV cure is the wait and see option. Often, the infection will clear on its own. The bodys immune system eradicates the virus and heals the affected cells. This is seen commonly in women who have had an abnormal Pap smear. When they are tested again (usually one to two years later), they are found to be virus free.
Cryotherapy is a treatment option that removes the affected tissue with low temperatures. A doctor uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the abnormal cells and surrounding area, destroying the tissue and preventing re growth. This method is often employed because of its efficiency and low risk of side effects. The procedure is simple and virtually painless.
Another option is called conization. Conization is often used as a diagnostic tool, but is employed in HPV treatment as well. The procedure excises a cone shaped section of tissue that can be tested for specific HPV strains. Therapeutically, the doctor will try to remove all irregular cells. Women subject to cervical conization are at risk for cervical stenosis. This can result in endometriosis (abnormal cell growth in and around the uterine cavity). Cervical conization causes incompetent cervix in some pregnant women. This disorder often results in preterm birth and miscarriage.
LEEP or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is something that has seen more implementation in recent years. The procedure uses electrical currents to remove abnormal cells. The doctor performs the procedure while the patient is under local, or in more extreme cases general, anesthetic. LEEP can cut and cauterizes at the same time which makes it a popular option. While it is safer than conization, LEEP can cause infection and hemorrhaging.
Your doctor can also prescribe a topical agent to treat HPV symptoms. Two types of topical applicants exist: one to destroy affected tissue, and another to aid the immune system in fighting off the infection. Both are initially effective, but the warts removed almost always reappear. In addition, topical solutions for HPV cause skin irritation, sores, and inflammation in many patients.
No HPV cure has yet been found, but there are abundant treatment options available. These different options can decrease HPV symptoms and sometimes remove them altogether.
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