International HPV Awareness Day & The International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS)
International HPV Awareness Day occurs each year on March 4th and is a key initiative to increase public awareness of this prevalent disease. Hosted in over 50 countries, this event focus on the importance of prevention, screening, and treatment of HPV related diseases. By raising awareness and tackling the stigma of HPV, they hope to reduce cases HPV-related cancers worldwide.
Understanding HPV
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a virus that nearly everyone will get some form of during their lifetimes. For most, it’s harmless and may not present with any symptoms. However, for others with more high-risk strains of HPV, they may develop serious medical complications like genital warts and certain cancers.
- Cervical cancer
- Anal cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulval cancer
- Penis cancer
- Some head or neck cancers
Importance of HPV Prevention
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are related to HPV so women are recommended to regularly undertake female health screenings. This way, changes in cells that can lead to cancer can be caught early and treated.
HPV is spread through skin to skin contact so it’s not always easy to prevent. The most common methods of transmission are through sexual activity or by sharing sex toys without cleaning them properly. Using condoms can help, but if skin to skin contact occurs you run the risk of getting HPV. This is why many people opt to get the HPV vaccine.
Treatment of Papillomavirus-Related Diseases
There is no cure for HPV so prevention is crucial. If you do get HPV and it causes genital warts, you can take steps to reduce symptoms as well as your chance of spreading it.
- Warticon Solution and Cream: Warticon is a topical medication that is applied directly to the affected area. It uses a powerful antiviral plant extract, podophyllotoxin, that causes the wart cells to die and to be replaced by healthy tissue. Warticon also stops the wart cells from dividing and spreading.
- Aldara Cream: Also known as imiquimod, Aldara is a topical treatment for actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and genital warts. It is classed as an immune response modifier that treats genital warts by stimulating the body’s immune system response.
If you have genital warts, you can get genital wart treatment shipped discreetly to your door. Buy Warticon and Aldara Cream Sachets online in the UK from Pharmacy Planet.
Authored By
HARMINDER ‘HARMY’ KAUR
BSc(hons) Pharmacy
GPhC Number: 2061107
Reviewed By
GURDEV SEHMI
BSc Pharm, MRPharmS, Independent Prescriber, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clinical Lead
GPhC Number: 2050925