Can HPV Cause Damage to the Pancreas?
Six million American men and women are diagnosed with the human papillomavirus (HPV) each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers it a common virus that affects about 50 percent of sexually active people. HPV is a silent virus. There are no symptoms. Through regular gynecological exams, doctors can screen women for the human papillomarvirus. Unfortunately, there are no tests to screen men for the virus.
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Types
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There are over 50 forms of HPV. However, the virus can either be a low-risk infection or high-risk infection. Low-risk scenarios can cause genital warts while the latter can lead to various forms of cancer.
Low Forms
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Women diagnosed with HPV sometimes develop warts on the thigh, vagina, vulva or cervix. Men will develop them on their thighs, groin, penis or scrotum.
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High Forms
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High-risk HPV infections can lead to cancer. According to the CDC, women can develop cancer of the cervix, while men can have cancers of the penis and rectum.
Exposure
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Because there are no symptoms, there are many unknown carriers. For both high and low risk types, people with healthy immune systems will naturally fight off the infections within two years.
Assessment
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The human papillomavirus affects men and women reproductive organs. Though there have been a few reported cases of the virus affecting the head and throat. HPV is preventable.
Recommendation
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According to the CDC, HPV has no cure. It does recommend females (ages 11 -- 26) and males (ages 9 -- 26) get vaccines before having sex for the first time. The vaccines will help guard against contracting the virus. For those who are diagnosed, there is no treatment for HPV. Doctors help decide what options are available to prevent spreading the virus to other people.
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