Human Papillomavirus

See also :

• Genital Warts
• Warts
• Oropharyngeal Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. Most sexually active women and men will be infected at some point in their lives and some may be repeatedly infected. The peak time for acquiring infection for both women and men is shortly after becoming sexually active. HPV is sexually transmitted, but penetrative sex is not required for transmission. Skin-to-skin genital contact is a well-recognized mode of transmissio While the majority of the known types of HPV cause no symptoms in most people, some types can cause warts (verrucae), while others can – in a minority of cases – lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, oropharynx and anus. Recently, HPV has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, HPV 16 and 18 infections are strongly associated with an increased odds ratio of developing oropharyngeal (throat) cancer.

Symptoms

Because HPV infection does not usually show any signs or symptoms, you probably won't know you have it. Most people can therefore get HPV and pass it on without even knowing it. In most people HPV is harmless and has no symptoms, but in some people the virus may persist and lead to disease of the genital area, including:

• In males: Genital Warts and some Anal Cancers.
• In females: Cervical Cancer, some vaginal, vulval and Anal Cancers and Genital Warts

Home remedies

• Berberine could be useful for treating cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV.
• There are many herbs that may be beneficial in warding off warts caused by HPV while combating the virus itself. Astragalus helps protect your immune system and helps fight the onset of HPV-related warts. Other herbs that have historically been used in treating this condition include aloe vera gel, black walnut, chickweed, Goldenseal and Myrrh and essential oils of clove, lemongrass, peppermint, tea tree and wintergreen.
• Black walnut may be one of the most useful remedies in treating your HPV and warts. Balch notes that black walnut possesses healing properties and may be especially effective in treating warts in your mouth and throat. Black walnut has antiseptic, astringent and anti-fungal properties, reports naturopathic physician Sharol Tilgner, author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth." Various parts of the black walnut tree may be used medicinally. Talk to your doctor before using black walnut to treat any medical condition.
• Apply vinegar to the outbreak site. While evidence is mixed on whether or not vinegar can effectively treat genital warts, some people strongly stand behind this home remedy. Simply apply apple cider vinegar each day directly onto your genital warts to treat the infection. You should know in a matter of days if this treatment is working.
• Vitamins that might help are beta-carotene, folic acid and selenium, so you should make sure you are getting plenty of those. The vitamins do not cure the dysplasia but aid your immune system and help keep the cells from turning cancerous. This will give you time to see if you can heal yourself or not.
• Echinacea, goldenseal, and shiitake Mushrooms are also helpful in some cases. Some patients will be adviced to do a daily douche with a mix of one-teaspoon white vinegar, one-teaspoon liquid beta-carotene, and one-quart warm water. For some patients a herb-vitamin called Beta-Mannan is achieving remarkable results, boasting a 95% cure rate for cervical dysplasia.
• Lactoferrin shows promise for protection against human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus known to cause genital warts and contribute to the development of cervical cancer. In a 2007 report published in Antiviral Research, tests on cells demonstrated that lactoferrin sourced from cow milk may help inhibit human papillomavirus infection.

Warnings

• Although most HPV infections clear up on their own and most pre-cancerous lesions resolve spontaneously, there is a risk that HPV infection may become chronic and pre-cancerous lesions progress to invasive cervical cancer. It takes 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop in women with normal immune systems. It can take only 5 to 10 years in women with weakened immune systems, such as those with untreated HIV infection.
• Anal cancer affects both males and females and although relatively rare, in 2005 there were 149 cases in males and 176 cases in females. Infection with certain types of "high-risk" HPV types (such as HPV types 16 and 18) is a risk factor for anal cancers as well as other risk factors including cigarette smoking, immunodeficiency syndromes and a previous history of genital cancers.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.