Genital warts are associated with the Human Papilloma Virus, also referred to as the HPV virus. This virus is possibly the most commonly transmitted sexual disease. Knowing about diseases such as this and learning how you can protect yourself from them is an important part of making sure that you stay healthy.

To start off with, you should know that the HPV virus is also known as genital warts. Millions upon millions of people throughout the United States are infected with this virus, thus making it easier to understand why there are millions of people who become infected with it each year. Since those numbers are so staggering, it is quite simple to realize the urgency of educating anyone who is sexually active about this virus and how it may be prevented.

There are many different strains of this virus; over a hundred HPV types are actually circulating worldwide. A couple of strains of the HPV infection are commonly known to lead to cases of cervical cancer in those patents who have been exposed to it. The majority of cases of cervical cancer that are reported are due to exposure and infection of genital warts.

This is why it is so important that you use precautions and always practice safe sex with any partner that you may have. Additionally, women should have a regular screening during their annual pap smear to make sure that they are not carrying the virus.

It is a must to speak to your physician if you find out that you are afflicted with genital warts. There are a few things that they can do to take care of the problem, including removing the warts. The warts can be frozen; once done, they will eventually just fall off. There are other treatments that are used to remove the warts from the Human Papilloma virus. These treatments may include applying acid to the warts, using different topical creams or even burning off the warts with a laser.

As of late, there has actually been a development in fighting the Human Papilloma Virus. This breakthrough is in the form of an HPV vaccination that can help with the prevention of the disease. While it does not cure the disease if an individual already has it, it can be a huge step in the prevention. It would be in the best interest of all of those who are sexually active to learn about HPV prevention and cures, if any, for all of the different types of sexually transmitted disease that are in existence. Having this knowledge is just one more step to looking out for your health.

The Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, is a common sexually transmitted infection. It has been estimated that fifty percent of sexually active adults in the United States will contract HPV at some point in their lives. As many as 80% of women will have been exposed to the virus by the time they reach the age of fifty. Strains of the virus have been found to cause genital warts, as well as cervical cancer. Fortunately, since 2006, there has been an HPV vaccine available for girls and young women.

The vaccine for HPV is called Gardasil, and is marketed by Merck. It has been found to be nearly one hundred percent effective in preventing the four strains of HPV that, when put together, account for seventy percent of the cases of cervical cancer and ninety percent of the cases of genital warts. It is administered in three doses over a six-month period. The vaccine is most effective if it is given before females become sexually active. It is currently recommended that girls be vaccinated at about the ages of eleven or twelve. The vaccine can be safely administered to girls as young as nine, and women as old as twenty-six years of age. Investigations are currently being done to find out if the vaccine is safe and effective to administer to boys and young men.

While the HPV vaccine is an extreme benefit for those that want to prevent the HPV virus, it should not be used by women during pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant, then have a pregnancy test administered before you start the treatment and then hold off on attempting to become pregnant until after all of the vaccinations have been taken. If, however, you find out that you are pregnant during the course of taking the vaccine treatments, then stop until after the baby is born.

More and more young females are becoming sexually active at a younger age in this day and time. This is why it is important for them to get the HPV vaccine, before they ever begin to have sex. There is sometimes the misconception that condoms will provide protection from the HPV virus. This is not always true. The virus is spread by having contact with infected skin and condoms do not cover the entire portion of the areas that could be infected; therefore leaving the door open to infection. Taking the vaccine offers far more protection from the HPV virus.