Recent studies show that the human papillomavirus virus, known to be the cause of cervical cancer in women, has been found to be present in many men. There are many different forms of HPV, and over 40 are transmitted sexually. Two types of HPV are very dangerous and our cancerous, and the two vaccines that can protect women from this are Merck’s Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline’s Cervarix.A study on more than 4,000 middle aged men showed that more than 50 perfect were infected with one kind of HPV. The immune system is capable of getting rid of the virus, but it takes an average of 7.5 months, and in some extreme cases, 2 years. Because HPV cannot be detected by oneself, it is very prevalent in men.
A few ways to prevent HPV infections are having only one lifelong sex partner or abstinence until marriage. Condoms are not very effective in preventing HPV from spreading, but the vaccines are helpful.
Could this mean there are other STI's that are unnoticeable in our bodies? There are many diseases that infect millions of people that go unnoticed until at a fatal stage.
Resources:
| Seppa, Nathan. "Half Of Adult Males Carry HPV." Science News. N.p., 28 Feb. 2011. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. Image: http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/jjp1/ansci_repro/misc/project_websites_07/tue07/HPV_Vaccine/What%20is%20HPV.html |
