nyone who is sexually active or has skin-to-skin contact with someone who has HPV genital warts runs the risk of getting HPV, even teens. HPV does not discriminate again any age or sex. Anyone from infants through the elderly can and do become HPV infected. HPV is a highly contagious, sexually transmitted and skin-to-skin transmitted viral infection. If a person were having sexual relations with three or more persons, it would be impossible for them not to be at risk for receiving HPV from their sexual activity. Condom use during sex is not a guarantee of protection against HPV, though it may reduce the risk of infection.
As with most diseases, teens feel invincible, and may not recognize their risk factor concerning HPV. Information should be made available to teens before they become sexually active concerning the risks of any sexually transmitted disease. Knowledge is the only way to make an informed decision regarding preventing or protecting oneself against the occurrence of HPV.
One visible sign of possible HPV are the appearance of genital warts. There is risk of receiving HPV from a sexual partner even if that partner does not have any noticeable genital warts. A person can have HPV and not even know it.
Teens are also at risk for having multiple sexual partners, especially during parties or other social events. Teens can be pressured into a sexual activity during peer-centered events, especially if there is no adult supervision at these events. Multiple sexual partners put anyone at high risk for sexually transmitted infections that includes HPV. According to the National Physicians Center, 90% of all cervical cancers are associated with HPV infections. Those teens whom are female and experiencing persistent HPV infections, there is a 14 fold increase in their risk for developing precancerous cervical lesions, also according to the National Physicians Center.
Teens are at special risk for persistent HPV infections due to the changes taking place on the cervix during puberty.
There is an association between HPV and development of anal, vaginal or vulva cancers.
Should a teen become pregnant and be HPV infected there is a slight chance that she could transmit HPV to her baby. HPV in infants can cause laryngeal papillomatosis which is a disorder involving polyps that develop on the vocal cords. These polyps can obstruct the baby’s breathing and cause severe respiratory distress.
There is only one way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix of a sexually active female and that is during a Pap Smear Test. If abnormal cervical cells are detected, then a HPV DNA test can be performed to detect the presence of HPV. If the teen or other person notices genital warts, the health professional can run the HPV DNA test either during the Pap Smear Test or independently.
Teens do not usually have Pap Smears at annual examinations unless it is suspected or verified that they are indeed sexually active. Without the Pap Smear Test being performed, abnormal cervical cells will not be detected.
One of the treatments for genital warts is the application of the drugs: Podofilox or Imiquimod. These medications must be applied repeatedly, which some teens may not be good at remembering to do. Podophyllin must be used weekly for up to sex weeks. It is applied daily for three consecutive days and then weekly. These treatments have a genital wart cure rate of 40% with reoccurrence rate of 20 – 30% according to the National Physicians Center.
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