The Trauma And Treatment Of HPV

Saturday, March 1, 2003

(NAPSA)—According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive, more than half (53%) of Americans, 18 and older, have never heard of human papillomavirus (HPV)—even though 5.5 million people are diagnosed with this virus each year. The virus is the cause of external genital warts (EGW), a sexually transmitted disease that is currently on the rise. Several facts about this disease may seem surprising. External genital warts caused by HPV may not appear until several years after someone has contracted the disease. “To be diagnosed with an STD after months of celibacy was amazing to me, but my physician told me I could havehad the virus for years,” said one 60-year-old woman. Healthcare professionals would like patients to more readily discuss STDs with them in order to best treat and educate them about the signs, symptoms and treatments of STDs such as HPV. HPV does not discriminate among a specific population—it can happen to anyone, regardless of race, marital status, sexual orientation, age or gender. There are 80 different types of HPV and more than 30 of them can infect the genital tract. Genital warts often appear as small bumps or growths, but can appear as groups of warts and can grow quite large. Left untreated, genital An increasingly common virus can infect people for years before they know they haveit. warts often cause discomfort and pain, interfere with sexual activity and eventually develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. Certain strains, though not usually the ones that cause the warts, can lead to cervical cancer. Although there is no cure for HPV, there are options available that can eliminate visible genital warts. Traditional treatments include laser surgery, freezing or chemical removal. However, there are topical treatments, such as Aldara™ (imiquimod) Cream, 5%, that patients use in the privacy of their own homes. For more information on HPV and treatment, visit www.Aldara.com.

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