Types Of HPV

There are over 100 types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that doctors know about. Wow. STD's are no joke, are they? Remember in the early 1980's when you had a few STDs? They caused a little discomfort, you took a shot, and they disappeared. Then HIV and AIDS hit the scene. Even then, people knew to watch out for these two killers. Well, HPV isn't new, it's just that people didn't worry so much about it. Here's a little known fact about your new friend HPV. Because of the sheer number of the types of HPV you can contract, it is in fact the most commonly transmitted STD. The gift that keeps on giving, right? What a world we live in. You have a better chance of getting HPV than getting creamed by a speeding bus. HPV is divided into the high risk and low risk categories. Well, check them out. Here are some types of HPV.

1. Sexually Transmitted HPV. There are at least 30 different types of HPV that show up through sexually transmitted means. HPV viruses attack the skin and mucous membranes. Some of these types can be considered low risk HPV. Others are known as high risk HPV. Though you need to protect yourself from both types, the high risk HPV types can lead to serious medical complications.
2. Low Risk HPV. If an STD could have a profession, then the low risk HPV types would be Ninjas. These guys could be with you without you even knowing. Why? They don't usually show symptoms.  Low risk HPV may show up in the form of genital warts. The symptoms may not show up for years, if at all.
3. High Risk HPV. These are the types that can cause things like cervical cancer. Cancer, in any form, is never a good thing to deal with. HPV-16 and HPV-18 are thought to cause over 70% of all cervical cancer cases. Yet another reason to make sure you keep your little soldier wrapped up. Of course, you don't really need to worry about cervical cancer so much, but you can spread HPV-16 and HPV-18 to your lady friend. Oh, and if you thought you were off the hook because you're a guy. Check out what certain high risk HPV viruses can do to you.

Tips and Warnings:

• Serious HPV symptoms in Men. Penile cancer. Yes. Penile cancer. Your soldier can change color. The skin can get thicker. A sore can even develop. Damn. Anal cancer is another possibility with the high risk HPV types. Bleeding, itching, and swollen lymph nodes near the anus and groin. It gives you shivers just reading about it. 
• Treatment. There's no cure for HPV. Your body basically has to fight it off on it's own. Here's the really bad part. If you're dealing with a genital wart issue, one of three things can happen. The warts will either go away, get bigger, or spread. What? There are creams out there that a doctor can prescribe, as well as other options to handle the warts. But, they may or may not come back.