Human Papiloma Virus

Posted by Innocence (426 days ago)

Is it a good idea for every women to get the immunization that is available to protect against this?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by neenib (426 days ago)

That depends on the individual. It is a sexually transmitted disease. In australia they are now immunising at school age, funded by the government. If you are planning on having multiple partners without precautions, then I would definately have the immunisation. However we all know you should have safe sex. I know a couple of women who have contracted this horrible disease and if not dealt with in the early stages can have major implications for pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage due to removal of the lining of the cervix. There should be more information out there which seems to be slowly happening.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Innocence (426 days ago)

Is this a curable STD?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by neenib (425 days ago)

Human papilloma virus is cervical cancer. Here is an exerpt from the Aust website: Anyone who has ever had sexual contact could have HPV – it is a very common virus and around 4 in 5 people will have been infected at some time. In most women, it will clear naturally from their system and not lead to cancer. But for some, it will.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

That is why it is imperative that women have regular pap smears for early detection.
I hope the it has helped.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by hotandbothered (425 days ago)

Yes it is.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Pumpkin (425 days ago)

No need to scaremonger. A lot of people contract HPV and it either never leads to anything or for some, 1 abnormal smear and possibly a simple loop or leep excision or cryotherapy. Of the 100 plus strains of HPV only a very small handful actually lead to cervical cancer...not all of these covered by the new immunisation.

As to the question of whether it is curable - well there is no medication you can take to make it go away...you can treat/remove the affected cells, and of course the virus itself can become dormant on its own.

It is not a matter of sleeping around either. I picked it up from a long term partner who had been unfaithful. Came very close to cancer 3 times, had 5 or 6 surgeries in as many years and need smear tests every year for life. I have been clear for 6 years now (thankfully).

Get informaed and take responsibility for your body.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by annebin (412 days ago)

Neenib,
HPV is NOT cervical cancer. Only HPV strains 6, 11, 16, and 28 cause cervical cancer.

http://www.gardasil.com/cervical-cancer.html:

The HPV vaccine Gardasil works best for girls/women aged 9-26 who have not been exposed to the virus yet. It may not fully protect everyone and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it is important to continue regular cervical cancer screenings.

Be proactive about your body, learn all you can so you can spot abnormalities and inform your doctor right away.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Innocence (412 days ago)

What about men? Do they carry it and pass it on? If so should they be treated?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by neenib (412 days ago)

annebin and Innocence, my apologies as I gave the incorrect info. In the body of my note I wrote that it can lead to cancer. So again my apologies and it's always best to go to a clinic or local gp for full information.

(I am based in Hong Kong)