Despite the serious health problems associated with sexually transmitted infections and big budget campaigns to attempt to increase awareness, the number of new cases is still on the rise. According to research Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is, globally the most common sexually transmitted infection1, 2. It is estimated that, in the US alone, there are 6 million new HPV infections annually and up to 1 in 5 American adults could be infected1, additionally 1 in 10 Europeans is believed to have the virus2. However, there is little public awareness about the HPV infection and its associated pathological conditions.

There are 40 different variants of HPV and certain types are responsible for 90% of all genital warts1 (in both males and females) and in rarer cases warts can present in the throat. HPV is passed between individuals during unprotected sexual acts, including vaginal and anal sex, oral sex and genital to genital contact, even if no symptoms are presenting3. In rare cases, HPV can be passed from mother to infant, during childbirth. Worryingly, most people who are infected with HPV are unaware, and it is possible to be infected with more than one type of HPV at any one time. HPV has also been implicated in cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx1, 3.

Globally, HPV prevalence is highest in women under 35 or over 45 and based on global estimates around 291 million women worldwide are carriers of HPV and 32% of these women are infected with HPV16 or HPV18 or both2. These variations of the HPV virus collectively account for 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide. Vaccines for HPV are available, but their effect in males is in question, it is only available to a small proportion of the global population (preferably administered before the start of sexual activity) and little is known about their long term effectivness1. So what can be done, to help with this ever increasing health issue?

Currently the only test for HPV is one that is used to help screen for cervical cancer, so practising safe sex is of paramount important in reducing chances of contracting the infection and for passing it on1. As part of a safe sex regime, Gene-Eden has released a new product, Gene-Eden for Safer Sex. This supplement from the research-led Gene-Eden team is designed to enhance the immune system to prevent infections as opposed to alleviate symptoms in those already affected with a chronic illness. The primary ingredient for Gene-Eden for Safer Sex is Geraniin (an extract from the Phyllanthus amarus plant), which has been shown to be effective in the treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections4.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is continually on the rise. It has been strongly linked to cervical cancer, among others and the vaccines are only available to a very small percentage of the population. Safe sex is paramount in the prevention of the spread and Gene-Eden for Safer Sex can help address this problem by boosting the immune system against sexually transmitted infections.

References

1. Anorlu, R. I (2008) What is the significance to the HPV epidemic The Canadian Journal of Urology Vol. 15, No. 1: 3860-3865

2. Sanjose, S., Diaz, M., Castellsague, X., Clifford, G., Bruni, L., Munoz, N., Bosch, X. (2007) Worldwide prevalence and genotype distribution of cervical human papillomavirus DNA in women with normal cytology: a meta-analysis.

The Lancet Infectious Diseases Vol. 7, No. 7: 453-459

3. Genital HPV Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm Date Visited: 20th March 2011

4. Cheng, L. (2010) Recent advances in the discovery of novel anti-herpetic agents from Chinese herbal medicines. Current Organic Chemistry Vol. 14, No. 16: 1714-1726.

About:

The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD, http://www.cbcd.net) is a research center recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization. The mission of the CBCD is to advance the research on the biology of chronic diseases, and to accelerate the discovery of treatments for these diseases. The CBCD published the "Purple" book by Dr. Hanan Polansky. The book presents Dr. Polansky’s highly acclaimed scientific theory of the relationship between the DNA of latent (chronic) viruses and the onset of chronic diseases. Dr. Polansky’s book can be freely downloaded from the CBCD website.