What is HPV

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Chlamydia is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the United States. In 2018, there were approximately 4 million chlamydial infections among people ages 15–39 years. Because this STI is a bacterial infection, it's treated with antibiotics. The two most common antibiotic treatments for chlamydial infections are azithromycin and doxycycline. Azithromycin is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antibiotic used to treat genital chlamydia. It works to cure chlamydia by stopping the bacteria from multiplying. Adults and adolescents who are experiencing symptoms associated with chlamydia can take azithromycin for treatment. Though many people with chlamydia are asymptomatic (they don't show symptoms), common symptoms can include: abnormal discharge pain while urinating pain in the lower abdomen (in those assigned female

It may sound like a Nigella Lawson-inspired drag queen, but Shigella is no joke – it's an STI that some people don't even realise they've had. Because it causes diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever, it's easy to mistake this nasty gut infection for food poisoning, but it's actually caused by bacteria found in faeces. Shigella is also incredibly infectious and only needs a tiny amount of bacteria to spread, so if you're into rimming and/or anal sex, you should definitely make yourself aware of it. In January, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) put out a press release warning of a rise in Shigella cases, "mainly among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM)" – though it can be caught by anyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The UKSHA said it had detected 47 cases of an especially drug-resistant strain of Shigella in the last four months, a sharp spike from just 16 detected cases in the 17-month period befo

Genital warts treatments include topical medications, such as creams and ointments, and surgical procedures, including freezing, excision, and laser removal. There is no cure for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts, so they may return after treatment. This article discusses genital warts treatments, including medications, surgical procedures, and home remedies. Genital warts, also called condylomata acuminata, are warts that appear as small bumps on or near the genitals or anus. Causes About 400,000 people in the United States get genital warts each year. HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of all cases of genital warts. A person may contract HPV and develop genital warts from skin-to-skin contact during genital or anal sex. In rare cases, a person may develop warts from giving oral sex to or receiving it from a person with genital warts on their mouth or in their genital area. Sometimes, people can pass genital warts to a newborn during vaginal delivery. Symptoms If a pe

White spots on your skin can signal idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, a result of UV exposure. They may also be leftover scars from eczema or tinea versicolor, a fungal infection. Flat warts look like light-colored shiny patches that are caused by HPV. Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. Sometimes, white spots that crop up on your skin can be harmless — but other times, they could signal a serious condition.  That's why, it's important to take note of other symptoms you may experience and the exact appearance of the spots so that you can help your doctor identify the cause.  Here are eight causes of white spots on the skin, and how to treat them.  1. Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) While most people

Cervical dysplasia is a precancerous, atypical growth of cells that develop on the surface of the cervix. A persistent infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical dysplasia. While not cancerous, experts describe the condition as a precursor to cervical cancer. Regular Pap smears and cervical cancer screenings can help detect cervical dysplasia. Upon diagnosis, a doctor can provide treatment and prevent further progression. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that it affects between 250,000 and 1 million women each year in the United States. This article covers the symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of cervical dysplasia. It also looks at the stages of cervical dysplasia and the diagnosis process. Cervical dysplasia typically does not cause any symptoms. Similarly, according to the advocacy group Planned Parenthood, most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health issues. A doctor often diagnoses cervical dysplasia after performing a routine Pap smear.

While you've been spending more time with yourself during the pandemic, you may have noticed a new lump or bump (or two or three) on your skin. Meanwhile, you may have seen ads on social media for devices or products that claim to help you get rid of skin tags, warts or moles on your own — and wondered whether you should try the DIY approach. The answer is: It depends on what and where the growth is. "The problem with all this at-home stuff is you have to make a diagnosis to know what you're treating," said Patricia Farris, a dermatologist in private practice and a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Tulane University in New Orleans. "I've seen people put wart remover on a skin cancer because squamous cell carcinoma can look warty." In addition to the risk of misidentification, there are other concerns about treating skin growths yourself. Here's a look at five common skin lumps and bumps, with details about which ones you can treat yourse

Maya Marquez Sturm HPV is an extremely common infection. It is estimated that 80 percent of people under 50 will have HPV at some point in their lives. For most people, it is simply an infection, and in 90 percent of cases it clears naturally within two years; but in rare cases, it can result in cervical cancer or other associated cancers. Generally, it is battled successfully, but with life-altering results. THE FACTS There are 60 different types of HPV, and the virus is highly transmissible, often through sexual contact (penetrative or oral) but also potentially through kissing or close skin-to-skin contact. Most infections the body can resolve naturally, but in cases where the body fails to recognize the virus, precancerous cells can occur. Pap smears are used to screen for precancerous cells, to identify them before they develop further. They are an important way to decrease the incidence of cervical cancer, though they lag in African American and

And what to do if you have it already. There are a few perks to getting older: You might get to retire. You don't have to deal with your period anymore. And you don't have to worry about those illnesses that only plague young people — but HPV isn't one of them. While the HPV vaccine is targeted at young folks, and your pool of sexual partners might shrink as you age, you can get the STI at any age. And though you might've gotten it when you were younger, the virus could remain dormant until later in life. "HPV infection is very common and it's estimated that over 80 percent of sexually active adults, ages 18-65, have been infected with at least one strain, even if they never knew it," says Karyn A. Goodman, MD, MS, professor and vice-chair of clinical research in the department of radiation oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In honor of HPV Awareness Day, we're breaking down what ol

Genital warts treatments include topical medications, such as creams and ointments, and surgical procedures, including freezing, excision, and laser removal. There is no cure for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts, so they may return after treatment. This article discusses genital warts treatments, including medications, surgical procedures, and home remedies. Genital warts, also called condylomata acuminata, are warts that appear as small bumps on or near the genitals or anus. Causes About 400,000 people in the United States get genital warts each year. HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of all cases of genital warts. A person may contract HPV and develop genital warts from skin-to-skin contact during genital or anal sex. In rare cases, a person may develop warts from giving oral sex to or receiving it from a person with genital warts on their mouth or in their genital area. Sometimes, people can pass genital warts to a newborn during vaginal delivery. Symptoms If a pe