Human papilloma virus infection

This is the most common sexually transmitted infections. There are more than forty types of the human papilloma virus (HPV) that can infect the genital areas of males and females. These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat. They can cause serious health problems, including genital warts and cancer of the penis, vulva, vagina, anus, mouth and throat.

There is no certain way to tell who will develop health problems from HPV and who will not. In most cases it goes away by itself before it causes any health problems and most people who become infected do not even know they have it. HPV is not the same as herpes or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Both viruses can be passed on during sex, but they have different symptoms and cause different health problems.

The incubation time (time from exposure to appearance of warts) may range from a few weeks to many months or years. Some people harbour the virus and transmit it to others without ever developing the growths themselves.

There can be long-term health effects of HPV for women, certain strains (unrelated to genital warts) are associated with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), also known as cervical dysplasia (abnormal cell growth on the cervix). Unchecked and untreated it can progress, possibly to cancer; or it can heal on its own. The more severe the dysplasia, the more likely it is to progress to cancer. Mild dysplasia may resolve on its own, without any treatment.

One way to lower the risk of contracting HPV is to never engage in unprotected sex but this is not always safe as sometimes the virus can be present on the skin in places other than the genitals. A monogamous partnership with someone who has been tested and is negative is possibly the only way to remain free of the virus. There are also vaccines now available to prevent the contraction. A healthy balanced diet will keep the immune system strong which can also fight off the virus before it can cause warts and further damage.

The phytonutrients found in rocket are useful in the treatment of recurring respiratory papillomatosis caused by the Human Papilloma Virus.

Warts

Since warts are caused by a viral infection, boosting the body’s immune system is one of the most effective methods of preventing and treating warts. Consuming foods high in vitamin C can keep the immune system in good working order. Some people have also found it helpful to apply vitamin C directly to the wart as a topical treatment. Also be sure to drink plenty of bottled mineral water and get sufficient rest.

Genital warts

Usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. They can appear within weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected partner even if the infected partner has no signs of genital warts. If left untreated, they might go away, remain unchanged, or increase in size or number. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that cause cancers.

Genital warts can be treated successfully with a tincture or paste made of bloodroot or comfrey.

Cervical cancer usually does not cause symptoms until it is quite advanced. For this reason, it is important for women to get regular screening for cervical cancer. Screening tests can find early signs of disease so that problems can be treated early, before they ever turn into cancer.

Other cancers caused by HPV might not have signs or symptoms until they are advanced and hard to treat. Other HPV-associated cancers include the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx.

RRP is a condition in which warts grow in the throat. RRP can occur in children (juvenile-onset) and adults (adult-onset). These growths can sometimes block the airway, causing a hoarse voice or trouble breathing.

In most cases the virus goes away, and it does not lead to any health problems. However, when the virus persists it can cause normal cells to become abnormal and, most of the time, these changes cannot be seen or felt.

Warts can appear within months after getting HPV. Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV.

There is no certain way to know which people infected with HPV will go on to develop cancer or other health problems. However, persons with weak immune systems (including persons with HIV) may be less able to fight it off and are more likely to develop health problems from it.

Natural remedies for wart removal

Remedy 1. Gently rough up the outer surface of the wart with an emery board then place the inside of the banana skin over the wart and bandage. This should remove the wart after a few hours.

Remedy 2. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply to the wart using duct tape or medical tape. Leave on overnight. Because apple cider vinegar is very acidic, it may irritate the skin surrounding the wart. If it becomes too irritating, try to apply every other night. This remedy may also take some time but there should be results after the first week or so.

Remedy 3. Rub freshly cut raw white potatoes on the warts several times a day. This should show results after two weeks.

Remedy 4. Drinking aloe vera juice can improve the activity of the immune system, helping the body fight off the virus that causes warts. Also, apply the juice directly from the leaves of the plant to the wart is an effective treatment.

Remedy 5. Duct Tape Occlusion Therapy is a natural wart remedy that is quite often recommended by medical doctors. The remedy involves placing a piece of duct tape over the wart for several days or weeks. If the piece of tape should fall off, replace it with a fresh piece or tape. Some of the wart may come off with the tape, but the dead cells can be removed with a pumice stone or emery board if necessary. This is a highly effective natural wart remedy.

Remedy 6. Rub castor oil on the warts every day for several months.

Remedy 7. Take one fig leaf and apply the milk or sap from the leaf to the affected areas. Do this twice daily until the wart disappears.

For more information about boosting the immune system through diet see>>

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