Human papillomavirus prevention healing, treatment, treatment pathways

%75 of the sexually active people who reach the age of 50 at least has once genital HPV strain infection in their life.

A HPV vaccine called Gardasil has been approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This vaccine protects the women against 4 HPV types which are the two most common high-risk strains (HPV 16 and 18) and the two most common low-risk strains (HPV 6 and 11). However, the vaccine should be applied before an infection occurs, especially for girls who become sexually active. The vaccine can be approved as young as nine and is suggested routinely for girls 11 and 12 years old. If the vaccine was not applied to the women when they were young, it can be given to women who are between the ages of 13 and 26. But if the women have been infected by the one of the four types of HPV which is inside of the vaccine, it will not work.

Although most women are not infected with all four strains in the vaccine, all women between the age of 9 and 26 should be given vaccine according to the CDC suggestion. The screening should be remain an important way to prevent the cervical cancer even with the vaccine. Screening includes checking the abnormal cell changes caused by the HPV virus with Pap tests. The screening also checks the women 30 and over with HPV tests checking for the virus presence. Women who are the age of 30 and over with positive result of HPV test are more likely to have persistent virus and their immune system cannot clear the infection. Developing cellular changes can lead to cervical cancer and the women who have persistent infection are at risk of the cervical cancer. Moreover, the HPV test is better to identify the women’s risk for developing cervical cancer than the Pap test alone, if the HPV test is combined with Pap test for the women who are the ages of 30 and over. Additionally, the FDA has approved two new high risk HPV tests called Cervista HPV HR and Cervista 16/18. Cervista 16/18 screens for the two HPV types associated with cervical cancer HPV 16 and HPV 18.

The following guidelines Pap tests and the early detection of cervical cancer are suggested by The American Cancer Society (ACS):

• The cervical cancer screening should be begun by all women just after they become sexual active by the age of 21. If the conventional Pap test methods are used, the screening should be done once a year, however, if the liquid Pap test methods are used, it should be done every two years.

• If the women who are at the age of 30 and over have normal Pap test results in a row, the screening can be every two or three years. If there is also HPV DNA test, the Pap test can be done every three years.

• Although the women with high risk for cervical cancer should continue to regular tests, if the women who are at the age of 65 to 70 and over have three or more normal tests and no abnormal test results in the last 10 years in a row can stop to screen the cervical cancer.

• If the women have cervical cancer risk like family history of the disease, Chlamydia infection and weakened immune system, they should continue to screen the cervical cancer.
The guidelines which are released by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) differ slightly. According to the ACOG, screening for cervical cancer should begin at the age of 21 and the sexual history has no importance. ACOG also suggests that the women who are between the ages of 21 and 29 should get Pap test every two years. The women who have more risk for cervical cancer regardless of their ages should make Pap test done more frequently. Ask for the advice of your health care expert about which method is best for you related to your medical history.

The virus is transmitted via skin to skin contact and to reduce contact with the virus, using one or more of the following options are advised to the women who have risk by health care experts:

• While you are in a sexual event with a new sexual partner, use condom. If you use condom from the beginning and finishing of the sex correctly, latex condoms can protect the HPV infection area.
Note: although the latex condom using will decrease the risk of HPV infection, it cannot prevent the HPV infections entirely, because HPV infections can spread the cells anywhere on the genital area skin.

• It should be remembered that creams, spermicidal foams and jellies are not effective against any sexual transmitted diseases (STD) including HPV. It is advised by the FDA to the consumers that the vaginal contraceptives using including nonocynol-9 can increase the risk of vaginal irritation and this vaginal irritation also increase the risk of infection.

• It is important to use dental dam, plastic wrap and split or flattened unlubricated condom while having oral sex. There is moisture barrier between the mouth and the vagina or anus thanks to these devices during oral sex. Avoid brushing or flossing just before the oral sex. It can tear the lining of your mouth and it increases your exposure to the viruses.

• When you share the sex toys, be careful. If the sex toys are inserted into the vagina, the HPV can be transmitted. However, clean the sex toys thoroughly before use them with your sex partner.