HPV or Human Papillomavirus which

is a sexually transmitted infection;

HPV infects your skin cells and mucous

membranes.

HPV is caught through sexual intercourse

and possibly oral sex. The virus

can spread when fluids like semen and

cervical mucus mix. Strains of HPV

can also spread from rubbing against

someone’s genitals while being naked.

Though using protection is a good

idea it may not always make a difference.

Using condoms can reduce the

chances of spreading HPV, but it does

not provide full protection against the

virus. The virus is easily passed and

spread and there is no cure. The best

way to eliminate risk of being infected

with HPV is to refrain from any genital

contact with another individual.

“I think it’s good to refrain because

the consequences are very critical and

you can get cancer which is a women’s

worst fear,” said freshman Daniela

Donoso.

Some types of this virus can lead to

cervical cancer if left untreated. There

are about 30 sexually transmitted

strains of HPV that can cause precancerous

cells to grow on the cervix.

Cervical cancer is responsible

for 3,700 deaths every year in the

United States. Because 99 percent of

the cervical cancer cases are caused by

HPV, doctors recommend that girls see

a gynecologist regularly for a Pap Test.

The visits to a gynecologist should

start once a girl turns 18 or after they

have sex for the first time.

“I think girls need to get tested at an

early age because if you do not get

tested early on the virus can progress

into cancer which is deadly,” said sophomore

Alexandra Kramer.

Most girls may not experience

any symptoms indicating that they have

HPV; in fact, most strains of the virus

don’t have any symptoms. Just because

a girl doesn’t see or feel anything does

not mean that they do not

have HPV.

One symptom is genital warts;

the warts are caused by noncancerous

strains of the virus and appear on or

around the vulva or anus. The warts are

treatable with prescription medicine,

lasers, or freezing.

About 75 percent of women

and girls in the United States have or

have had the human papillomavirus.

Because of that high percentage, a drug

company has created a vaccine that

protects young women against many

cancer- and wart- causing strains of

HPV.

The vaccine was approved by

the Food and Drug Administration for

girls as young as 9, so that they can be

vaccinated before any sexual activity

could expose them to HPV.

The vaccine will be administrated

via three injections over a six month

period.

“If there are no risks involved by

taking the vaccine then I think it is a

great idea because it prevents you from

getting HPV,” said sophomore Natalie

Plata.

Many teenage girls are not informed

about HPV and the risk factors involved.

In a survey more than half

of the girls did not know that if HPV

is not treated it can lead to cervical

cancer.

Doctors recommend that parents

talk to their daughters about HPV

and the risk involved and to get them

tested when they become sexually active.

“Most people don’t even know

what HPV is and if they do know it’s

from just watching the commercials on

TV, I don’t think there is HPV awareness,”

said Kayla Johnson a senior.

Cosmo Girl performed a study

and confirmed that three out of four

women get HPV. Because there are few

symptoms, a Pap test should be taken.

Human Papillomavirus can be scary

and confusing but there are ways of

preventing HPV and staying healthy.