Today the worldis plagued with many types of sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea,chlamydia, syphilis and HIV/AIDS.
However there isa very significant infection that society is not very knowledgeable of — humanpapillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is anumbrella term used for over 70 different forms of illnesses. About 30 types ofthese viruses can cause genital warts, including warts (in rare cases) on thehands, feet and mouth.
In more advancedsituations it can also cause cervical cancer in women.
HPV is the mostcommonly sexually transmitted disease in America. It is estimated that threeout of four women between the ages of 15 to 49 will be infected with a form ofHPV and two out of those three will not know they have it.
HPV iscontracted mainly through unprotected sex, but can be contracted throughprotected sex as well. In some cases, having anal or oral sex with an infectedpartner can also spread the disease.
Although malesare the primary carrier of HPV, there is no thorough testing for this diseasein men.
For men,symptoms include genital warts, inflammation of skin. For women, precancerousor cancerous cells in the cervix occur. There is no cure for HPV but it can becontrolled with routine pap smears and biopsies. Some symptoms (sub clinical/latent) recede on their own undetected by the carrier. If you have experiencedthese signs there are a number of procedures used to have them removed.
”We need to stress the importance ofSTDs in all college and university campuses. Our focus should be on educationalawareness in order to combat these diseases. Abstinence is full-proof, but ifyou cannot abstain, be protected; being unprotected will open you up to variousdiseases like HPV, Hepatitis, AIDS/HIV, etc.,” said Wanda Warner MPA., R.N., nurse manager for the SU StudentClinic. “STDs are a major focus for me. A lot of students and faculty are notinformed on HPV and many other viruses, therefore awareness will be one of thecenter’s focal points this year. The SU Student Clinic will be training nursesto specialize on STDs and STD awareness.”
In a survey of100 students to find out if they had any knowledge of what HPV was, only seven were knowledgeable. That is less than 10 percent.
“Protectyourself and always wear a condom,” said Teresa Butler, a freshman earlychildhood major from Brusly, who was one of the informed seven surveyed. “It isalso very important for women to get their well women’s exam (pap smear)annually.”
