2008 Woodie Awards
You can be one less
Danielle Scott/ Online Reporter
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment
The Associated Press released the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sexually transmitted disease survey statistics on March 11, 2008. CDC found that "one in four teen girls have an STD." The article stated that 18 percent of these teen girls, age 14-19, have HPV.
The group of viruses known as HPV includes more than 100 different types, according to the American Social Health Association. About 30 of these types are sexually transmitted. When HPV is sexually transmitted, a man or woman's genital area may become infected, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Doctors diagnose individuals with either "high risk" HPV or "low risk" HPV, according to the CDC. "High risk" HPV can sometimes cause cervical cancer, while "low risk" infections can lead to genital warts.
Cancer of the cervix, vulva, anus or penis is the most dangerous symptom of HPV. However, cervical cancer caused by HPV is rare, since HPV types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, according to www.gardasil.com. Doctors diagnose cervical cancer after seeing irregular Pap tests and administrating the HPV test.
When a person contracts HPV, symptoms may appear two or three weeks after the infection or not at all. Genital warts are the most common symptom of HPV. HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90 percent of genital warts cases, according to www.gardasil.com. They can be "soft, moist, pink, or flesh-colored swellings, usually in the genital area. Genital warts can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped," said Lisa Marie Hartman, Eastern's Sexual Health Education Coordinator.
The only way for people to completely prevent HPV is to remain abstinent. Individuals who remain in a monogamous relationship are less likely to be diagnosed with HPV, according to the CDC. Sexually active people can decrease the risk of HPV by limiting the number of sexual partners. Although condoms may lower HPV chances, areas where the condom does not cover can still become infected with HPV.
The group of viruses known as HPV includes more than 100 different types, according to the American Social Health Association. About 30 of these types are sexually transmitted. When HPV is sexually transmitted, a man or woman's genital area may become infected, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Doctors diagnose individuals with either "high risk" HPV or "low risk" HPV, according to the CDC. "High risk" HPV can sometimes cause cervical cancer, while "low risk" infections can lead to genital warts.
Cancer of the cervix, vulva, anus or penis is the most dangerous symptom of HPV. However, cervical cancer caused by HPV is rare, since HPV types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, according to www.gardasil.com. Doctors diagnose cervical cancer after seeing irregular Pap tests and administrating the HPV test.
When a person contracts HPV, symptoms may appear two or three weeks after the infection or not at all. Genital warts are the most common symptom of HPV. HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90 percent of genital warts cases, according to www.gardasil.com. They can be "soft, moist, pink, or flesh-colored swellings, usually in the genital area. Genital warts can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped," said Lisa Marie Hartman, Eastern's Sexual Health Education Coordinator.
The only way for people to completely prevent HPV is to remain abstinent. Individuals who remain in a monogamous relationship are less likely to be diagnosed with HPV, according to the CDC. Sexually active people can decrease the risk of HPV by limiting the number of sexual partners. Although condoms may lower HPV chances, areas where the condom does not cover can still become infected with HPV.
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