Oct 27 2011
Apr 13 2011
Asymptomatic HSV-2 Carriers May Transmit Genital Herpes
Researchers at the University of Washington have found just how easily people infected with herpes simplex type 2 virus, which causes genital herpes, can unknowingly pass it on to other people. On average, the researchers found those “who had had past herpes outbreaks were infectious 20.1% of the time, while the asymptomatic group was found to be able to transmit the virus 10.2% of time.” Virus presence was detected “at least once in 83.4% of the people with symptomatic infection and in 68.2% of people with asymptomatic herpes.” The authors say the study shows that even people with asymptomatic herpes type 2 “can transmit it to a sexual partner.”
This further means that pregnant women with no symptoms can pass on the virus to their babies with devastating consequences for the newborn, including death. Moreover, HSV-2 infection can cause complications in people who have weakened immune systems due to chronic disease, and it can increase a person’s likelihood of contracting HIV.
Condom use, drug therapy and disclosure of the disease to partners can help curb the spread of herpes. A blood tests to detect HSV-2 became widely available in 1999, making it easier for people to find out if they have genital herpes even if the infection isn’t active.
Jan 10 2011
Adherence to Schedule for HPV Vaccination Series Low
Adherence to recommended schedules for human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent vaccine is relatively low, and even lower among blacks, raising concerns about disease disparity, according to research published online Dec. 13 in Pediatrics.
To determine the level of adherence to the recommended schedule for vaccination and to identify factors associated with completing the three-dose series, Lea E. Widdice, M.D., of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and colleagues reviewed data on 3,297 females aged 9 to 26 who initiated HPV vaccination.
Sixty-seven percent of the females self-identified as black and 29 percent as white. The researchers found that more than 50 percent of the doses were received late and fewer than 3 percent were received earlier than recommended. Completion rates by seven and 12 months were 14 and 28 percent, respectively. Completion by seven months was more likely to be achieved in whites, females whose contraception use necessitated intramuscular injections at three-month intervals, and those with private rather than public insurance.
“Adherence to recommended intervals and completion of the vaccine series were low. Lower rates of completion in black patients compared with white patients raises concern that disparities in vaccine completion could exacerbate existing disparities in cervical cancer,” the authors write.
Dec 27 2010
FDA Approves HPV Vaccine for MEN!!!
Gardasil (human papillomavirus vaccine), the vaccine that can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in girls, has won the FDA’s blessing as a vaccine to prevent anal cancer, a huge victory for men!
The FDA’s approval for Gardasil as an anal cancer vaccine opens the way for the medication’s maker, Merck and Co. Inc., to market the vaccine to boys and young men between the ages of nine and 26 – an option that will be most meaningful for men who have sex with men, but valuable to all. Nobody likes getting HPV on their penis. It really can devastate many boys and men. When the HPV ends up on their anal area – the risk of anal cancer is high. Although this is most commonly seen in homosexual men, it is not infrequent for heterosexual men to be at risk. It is easy to imagine how HPV can start on the shaft, and with a scratch here, and an itch there – end up on the back side.
This is a great win for men – and we hope that the approval by the FDA will quickly translate to coverage amongst insurance companies to make the vaccine accessible quickly to this new population.
Oct 30 2010
Cryotherapy is one effective treatment for warts
Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen to remove common warts may be more effective than salicylic acid or a wait-and-see approach, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial reported online September 13 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
“Cryotherapy is widely used for the treatment of cutaneous warts in primary care,” write Sjoerd C. Bruggink, MD, from Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, the Netherlands, and colleagues. “However, evidence favours salicylic acid application. We compared the effectiveness of these treatments as well as a wait-and-see approach.”
This is a great treatment for warts – but not the only one. Many more options exist than were tested by this study – so be sure to review all of your options for treating warts with your doctor.
Oct 12 2010
Anal Warts in Men
What are anal warts?
Anal warts (also called “condyloma acuminata”) are a condition that affects the area around and inside the anus. They may also affect the skin of the genital area. They first appear as tiny spots or growths, perhaps as small as the head of a pin, and may grow larger than the size of a pea. Usually, they do not cause pain or discomfort to afflicted individuals. As a result, patients may be unaware that the warts are present. Some patients will experience symptoms such as itching, bleeding, mucus discharge and/or a feeling of a lump or mass in the anal area.
Anal warts, thought to be caused by the human papilloma virus, can grow larger and spread if not removed.
It is important to know that Anal warts can be found both heterosexuals and in men who have sex with men. Either way, it is nothing to be ashamed of – and it is something that you SHOULD SEEK TREATMENT FOR.
Jun 16 2010
National Men’s Health Week – June 14th to 20th
June 14-20th is National Men’s Health Week and June 20th is Father’s Day.
Lets celebrate both by sharing the gift of knowledge. Here are some key facts about STD/STI’s that every man should know.
STD/STIs are certainly a critical piece of the sexual health puzzle but being sexually healthy is about much more.
Our most basic advice is:
- Abstinence is good and can happen at different times in life
- Talk to your parents, they were your age once
- Talk to your partner (before you have sex)
- Make sure you and your partner know how to use a condom correctly
- Find a good healthcare provider and talk to them
- Get help if you don’t think you’re in a healthy relationship
- Get yourself tested and make sure your partner gets tested (before you have sex)
- Take advantage of the vaccines that will help protect you
- Learn what you need to know–and keep learning
- Your sexual health is important–-you have a right and a responsibility to protect it!
Jan 30 2010
Oral Sex Cause of Throat Cancer Rise
Changing sexual practices have led to a dramatic rise in throat cancer in the United States over the past two decades, and experts say they fear an epidemic of the disease.
The comments were made Wednesday at a news conference held by the American Association for Cancer Research to discuss research into the role of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus ( HPV) in head and neck cancer.
Increasing rates of HPV infection, spread through oral sex, is largely driving the rapid rise in oropharyngeal cancers, which include tumors of the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue, said Scott Lippman, MD, who chairs the thoracic department at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Jan 06 2010
bumps on the penis – is a biopsy necessary?
as a urologist i see a lot of patient with growths or bumps on the penis
some patients ask do I have cancer? do I need a biopsy?
Most patients with a classic wart or HPV do not need a biopsy, patient who are uncircumcised or recurrent growths may consider a biopsy.
Freezing a wart with liquid nitrogen, cauterization, or topical treatments like aldara (imiquimod topical cream)
if you have a wart get to a doctor and have it treated. A biopsy is not a bad idea but no always necessary
thanks for all of stories and questions I hope this site can help you fight your personal war on warts.
the wow team is committed to helping you with the most sensitive topics!
click find a physician for a team member physician in your area!
Sep 28 2009
Share Your Story
I’v been living with hpv and my girlfriend for 4 years. I had treatment once for several non cauliflower looking warts. I didn’t notice them for a while because they were so small. They just looked like zits to me. After the initial treatment there has been no recurrences except last week I had one but in 3 or 4 days it went away. Today I noticed a very small rash on the head of my penis. So my questions are:
1. Can warts just go away?
2. How should I get my girlfriend to care about getting a pap smear? (she doesn’t even knowing the connection to cervical cancer)
3. Can hpv be contained in a small area (the head) and be so small it is barely noticeable?
Thanks for writing. Great questions.
1. Visible warts can resolve on their own – but the HPV virus is not cured. This means that even though you may not see any growths on your penis, you can still transmit HPV to a partner.
2. It is important that every sexually active women receive gynecological care and pap smears. You may want to share with her this information so she can learn about this important medical test.
3. Yes, it is possible for the visible manifestations of HPV to be located to one area.
I encourage you to establish a relationship with a physician so that you can get checked. This is the best way to take care of yourself, and anything less is a disservice to both you and your girlfriend. You may want to bring your girlfriend with you to the visit so that your doctor can talk to you both.
Best of luck.
