Because infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can carry with it risks of Genital Warts or even some types of cancers depending on the strain of virus, prevention is of the utmost importance.

HPV is the most common viral disease transmitted through intimate contact. There are more than 40 types of HPV that can infect both men and women. You can’t see the virus, and it can infect the skin around or on the penis, the vulva, the anus, as well as the linings of the vagina, cervix, and rectum.

Genital warts usually appear as small bumps or groups of bumps, usually in the genital area. They can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped. They can appear on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. Warts may appear within weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person.

On the other hand, they may not appear at all. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, remain unchanged, or increase in size or number.

They will not turn into cancer.

However, for those infected with HPV, especially the strains that cause Genital Warts, this disease can be not only uncomfortable, unsightly, and frightening…it can also cause social problems.

"Uh…we can’t…uh…get it on tonight cause, uh…I’ve got warts."

It can ruin one’s dating life indefinitely until the warts either go away by themselves, or some type of HPV remedy is used that removes the warts or kills the virus that causes the warts.

For women, the CDC has begun recommending HPV vaccines. The most well known is called Guardasil. To date, the CDC has not recommended an HPV vaccine for men.

There are all kinds of home based, HPV treatments, but one has to wonder at how well an HPV remedy one can whip up at home works. Some of the more common ones are: fresh Aloe vera juice which is applied directly to dissolve warts and tone the skin, Papaya (papain), Pineapple (bromelain), banana peel and figs contain enzymes that digest and dissolve warts in a safe manner, and milkweed. The fresh milky sap of the leaf or stem of the latter is applied directly to warts once a day. It is said to work dramatically and is non-irritating, and does not affect normal skin.

There is at least one antiviral, HPV remedy that has been on the market for about three years. It’s called Gene-Eden-VIR, and to date, there have been no reported side effects. This dietary supplement is supposed to boost the immune system against the latent form of the HPV virus. (As a numbers game, it helps the immune system to lower the numbers of the virus in your system to symptom free levels.)

( www.gene-eden.com )

Regardless, if you care about yourself or your partner, giving thought to the prevention of HPV is extremely important. Taking action to prevent HPV infection and promote awareness are some of the most responsible things you can do.