a common virus

HPV
Submitted by Obstetrics and Gynecology Care Associates, S.C.

uman papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of viruses that attack the skin on the human body. There are over 100 types of HPV. Some cause warts on the hand or other body parts such as the genitals. Some attack the cervix. HPV can also attack the mouth, throat, and rectal areas. HPV is not the same as herpes or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Both viruses can be passed on during sex, but they have different symptoms and cause different health problems. HPV is very common. Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV and about 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is passed from one person to another during sex and is so common that nearly all sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. Most people with HPV do not even know they have it. They never develop symptoms or health problems and most HPV infections (90 percent) go away by themselves. However, sometimes, HPV infections will persist and can cause a variety of serious health problems including cervical cancer.

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, striking about 12,000 women in the U.S. each year. HPV on the cervix injures the cells on the surface. Usually, if the woman has a healthy immune system, her own body can fight off the HPV and heal the injured cells. However, if the injured cells of the cervix are not repaired over a period of years, they may become cancerous. HPV on the hands and feet do not cause cancer. The best way to get rid of HPV on any part of the body is for your healthy immune system to fight it off. Smoking is the number one risk factor to not being able to fight off HPV. You can help boost your immune system by not smoking and taking good care of yourself by eating well, getting eight hours of sleep at night, taking a daily vitamin, and exercising.

"Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV and about 14 million people become newly infected each year."
A Pap test is a test that is done at your routine annual gynecological exams. This test takes samples of cervical cells to check for changes in these cells. Further testing can be done on the cells collected from the cervix to determine if you have HPV, and if it is the kind of HPV that is likely to lead to cancer. Having HPV on your cervix does not mean you have cancer or will get cancer. There are over 30 different types of HPV that can attack the cells of the cervix. About half of these may lead to cancer, and they are called high-risk HPV types. The high-risk types may take many years to cause cancer. When caught early and treated, HPV changes on the cervix do not become cancer. If your Pap test comes back with high-risk HPV, your provider will recommend a colposcopy. A colposcopy is a procedure that allows your health care provider to examine your cervix with a colposcope. A colposcope is a microscope that makes the cells look bigger so your provider can see which cells on your cervix have been injured. They may follow-up with more frequent Pap tests. They may also take a sample (biopsy) from the areas of your cervix that appear abnormal to examine them further. If the abnormal cells are worrisome, your provider may suggest freezing (cryotherapy) or cutting (LEEP) the injured cells from your cervix. HPV vaccines are recommended for 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls. Gardasil protects against four types of HPV and is given in three doses (shots). Check out www.gardasil.com to see if it is right for you. For more information, you may contact Obstetrics and Gynecology Care Associates at 309-662-2273 (662-CARE) or visit their website, www.obgyncare.com.

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Page 46 Healthy Cells Magazine Bloomington September 2013