West Indian Women and the Virus
July 22, 2008
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a virus that has many different types. There are about 100 known types and people like me and you can have no idea if they are infected or not. HPV is a STD (sexually transmitted disease). In some cases it may not show any signs or symptoms. Other cases, genital warts may appear. It has been to cause many types of genital cancers. You may see the commercials for females that they should get vaccinated. But, men are also affected the same way.
People should all be aware of the dangers of HPV. The notion that really scares me is that most cases you don’t see any symptoms and people don’t have any idea that they are infected by such a dangerous STD. I was looking up information on HPV http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm and came across these important statements: “HPV can cause normal cells on infected skin or mucous membranes to turn abnormal. Most of the time, you cannot see or feel these cell changes. In most cases, the body fights off HPV naturally and the infected cells then go back to normal”. But, when people are infected to the point that they don’t know about it and don’t attend to it by going to a doctor, the symptoms get worse.
It is important for all people, especially young sexually active people to get themselves checked up by doctors to make sure they are healthy and are not at risk for diseases such as HPV. Let’s focus on the female West Indian community. I know that West Indian females feel its taboo to go or even mention the word GYNECOLOGIST. or maybe young females may be embarrassed or in denial that they need a vaginal check up. Granted I know there are a few of you reading this and saying “my parents wouldn’t allow any such thing”. But, seriously it is very important to your health. Speak to a female in your family or someone your close with to go to the gynecologist for a check up especially if your sexually active and I include every and any type of sex (because I know some teens don’t believe oral and anal sex isn’t the same as vaginal sex BUT IT IS!). It is quite important for you-the teen female, having multiple or even a single sex partner. Make sure your safe. You may even use protection all the time but it wouldn’t hurt to be 100 % sure that you don’t have HPV or have the risks of getting it. Remember HPV leads to genital cancer and can also have other long term affects. HPV has known to affect pregnant women and their newborns.
Don’t read this article and pass it off as if you’re indestructible. Get a check up. Ask your partner to go with you and get checked up too. It wouldn’t hurt you to find out. If anything if you do have some sort of problem, a doctor can help you in every way possible. Who wants to walk around clueless about their body and bodily deterioration? You have a right to know what’s going on with you, inside. I feel if you feel mature enough to be sexually active, you should be mature enough to go to a gynecologist and have a check up to see if you have any STDs such as HPV. Hey, you never know if you might have it… do you want increase your chance of cancer? The only ways to decrease any physical problem to find out about it, research it, talk to your physicians and others who are knowledgeable about the subjects. Don’t feel like you can’t talk about it because doctors keep your medical files confidential so nobody needs to know but you!
Pady
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4 Responses to “West Indian Women and the Virus”
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Pady,
Your comments and suggestions on the HPV virus should be seriously adhere to. I have a friend that was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 Cervical Cancer. One of the most important things is that women should stay healthy and exercise to maintain a healthy immune system which will help fight whatever version of the string you have.
Shiva,
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. But hopefully people may learn more about the topic and do something rather than act as if HPV and it’s risks doesn’t exist.
i know i got it last week from my frined mitra .. it’s rough
Dear Driver,
You should seriously get yourself checked out dude… and tell Mitra too.