ALL humans live in a symbiotic relationship with bacteria, parasites, fungi and sometimes viruses.
Here’s a list of a few viruses that you may already be living with, but might not even know you have.
GENITAL WARTS
Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and spread via skin-to-skin contact. Genital warts are so common that if you’ve ever had sex, doctors automatically presume you’re infected.
Genital warts sometimes pop up as tiny lumps on the skin and fondly touching someone in the dark can be like reading genital braille. However, there are more than 170 different types of HPV and most of them don’t cause lumps.
Visible warts can be annoying and dampen the mood of a naked romp, but it’s the invisible ones that are dangerous.
Invisible HPV infects the cervix, penis and anus. This surreptitious infection causes healthy cells to mutate over many years and can eventually cause cancer.
Condoms protect you from all kinds of sexually transmitted infections but they’re not great at preventing HPV. The penis may be covered, but there’s still plenty of exposed skin while you’re bumping pelvises together.
An HPV vaccine has been available in Australia since 2007, decreasing genital warts in Australia by 90 per cent.
An HPV vaccine has been available in Australia since 2007, decreasing genital warts in Australia by 90 per cent.Source:Supplied
Australian women are encouraged to have a Pap smear every two years to screen for HPV infection and treat it before it has a chance to grow into cervical cancer. Anal cancer is rare in the general population, but more common in gay men. A screening program doesn’t currently exist in Australia, but gay men may soon be able to check for anal cancer by having an aptly named Chap Smear.
Penile cancer is rare, but any new lumps should be checked out by your GP.
In 2007 an HPV immunisation was introduced to Australia and we’ve seen a 90 per cent decrease in genital warts and cervical cancer over this time. If you’re worried about HPV and haven’t had the vaccination, please speak with your GP.
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a pox virus and forms clusters of small, round, shiny, skin lumps. Molluscum is sometimes mistaken for warts, but closer inspection reveals a telltale dimple (also known as an ‘umbilicus’ or ‘belly button’) in the centre. A quick Google Image search will give you a graphic idea of what they look like.
Kids commonly get them from playing with other kids and from sharing bath water. Adults occasionally spread them to each other via sexual contact.
They appear quickly and hang around for a few months, but usually go away without leaving a scar.
People are often desperate to get rid of them, especially if molluscum is affecting their genitals. Freezing, squeezing or pricking them with a needle can help them go away but is also dangerous. It’s better to see your doctor rather than performing home surgery.
HERPES
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is extremely common and causes both cold sores and genital herpes.
Cold sores are usually caused by HSV1 and it’s estimated that 30 per cent of Australians get recurrent cold sores on their mouth and lips.
If you get cold sores, then you’ve got HSV1.
If you get cold sores, then you’ve got HSV1.Source:istock
Genital herpes is usually caused by HSV2 and affects one in eight Australians over the age of 25 years.
Both viruses are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, causing itchy, blistered and painful skin.
HSV travels from the skin surface and hibernates in nerve cells near the spinal cord. It waits for your immune system to get run down from stress, late nights, or too much fun, then bursts from your skin as a blistery, painful rash.
There’s no cure for HSV, but there are effective treatments. Reducing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the number and severity of herpes outbreaks. Antiviral medication can be taken for a few days when an outbreak occurs, or can be taken every day.
HEPATITIS C
It’s estimated that about 230,000 Australians are living with hepatitis C and more than 30,000 of these people don’t even know that they have it.
Hepatitis C is occasionally transmitted from sharing razors, needlestick injuries and from having sex, but people are at higher risk if they’ve reused needles for tattoos or injecting drugs.
We didn’t have a screening test for hepatitis C prior to 1990 and some people who received blood transfusions were accidentally infected with the virus. All blood donations in Australia are now vigilantly checked.
Hepatitis C resolves spontaneously in about 20 per cent of people, but 80 per cent develop a chronic infection that slowly damages the liver and increases their chance of liver cancer.
Antiviral medication has had a long history of causing terrible side effects and being poorly effective. Fortunately that’s all changed and new drugs are available that have few side effects and are highly effective at curing hepatitis C.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is mainly transmitted via sex, but can also be transmitted by reusing needles for tattoos, injecting drugs and from needlestick injuries.
And while HIV might not be as common as these other viruses, there’s still about 28,000 people living with HIV in Australia and it’s estimated that more than 3000 people are living with HIV but haven’t been tested.
Worldwide, the figures are much scarier. 40 million people are currently living with HIV and approximately 17 million of these people don’t know they have it. 2.6 million of these people are children under 15 years of age.
HIV under the microscope. This picture shows a human cell (in blue) infected with HIV (in yellow). Picture: National Institutoe of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
HIV under the microscope. This picture shows a human cell (in blue) infected with HIV (in yellow). Picture: National Institutoe of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesSource:Supplied
People usually feel healthy in the early stages of HIV infection, but the immune system gradually becomes damaged over many years. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) occurs when the immune system is unable to fight off simple infections and people can become extremely unwell.
HIV/AIDS is not the death sentence that it once was. Antiviral medication is so effective these days that people living with HIV have the same life expectancy as anyone else.
Thankfully the fear and stigma associated with HIV is diminishing as we understand more about the virus, know how to treat it, and how to prevent it.
Condoms used to be the only protection against HIV, but antiviral medication is dramatically changing Australia’s sexual landscape. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is now available in Australia and one pill a day is extremely effective at protecting people from HIV.
Here’s a list of a few viruses that you may already be living with, but might not even know you have.
GENITAL WARTS
Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and spread via skin-to-skin contact. Genital warts are so common that if you’ve ever had sex, doctors automatically presume you’re infected.
Genital warts sometimes pop up as tiny lumps on the skin and fondly touching someone in the dark can be like reading genital braille. However, there are more than 170 different types of HPV and most of them don’t cause lumps.
Visible warts can be annoying and dampen the mood of a naked romp, but it’s the invisible ones that are dangerous.
Invisible HPV infects the cervix, penis and anus. This surreptitious infection causes healthy cells to mutate over many years and can eventually cause cancer.
Condoms protect you from all kinds of sexually transmitted infections but they’re not great at preventing HPV. The penis may be covered, but there’s still plenty of exposed skin while you’re bumping pelvises together.
An HPV vaccine has been available in Australia since 2007, decreasing genital warts in Australia by 90 per cent.
An HPV vaccine has been available in Australia since 2007, decreasing genital warts in Australia by 90 per cent.Source:Supplied
Australian women are encouraged to have a Pap smear every two years to screen for HPV infection and treat it before it has a chance to grow into cervical cancer. Anal cancer is rare in the general population, but more common in gay men. A screening program doesn’t currently exist in Australia, but gay men may soon be able to check for anal cancer by having an aptly named Chap Smear.
Penile cancer is rare, but any new lumps should be checked out by your GP.
In 2007 an HPV immunisation was introduced to Australia and we’ve seen a 90 per cent decrease in genital warts and cervical cancer over this time. If you’re worried about HPV and haven’t had the vaccination, please speak with your GP.
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a pox virus and forms clusters of small, round, shiny, skin lumps. Molluscum is sometimes mistaken for warts, but closer inspection reveals a telltale dimple (also known as an ‘umbilicus’ or ‘belly button’) in the centre. A quick Google Image search will give you a graphic idea of what they look like.
Kids commonly get them from playing with other kids and from sharing bath water. Adults occasionally spread them to each other via sexual contact.
They appear quickly and hang around for a few months, but usually go away without leaving a scar.
People are often desperate to get rid of them, especially if molluscum is affecting their genitals. Freezing, squeezing or pricking them with a needle can help them go away but is also dangerous. It’s better to see your doctor rather than performing home surgery.
HERPES
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is extremely common and causes both cold sores and genital herpes.
Cold sores are usually caused by HSV1 and it’s estimated that 30 per cent of Australians get recurrent cold sores on their mouth and lips.
If you get cold sores, then you’ve got HSV1.
If you get cold sores, then you’ve got HSV1.Source:istock
Genital herpes is usually caused by HSV2 and affects one in eight Australians over the age of 25 years.
Both viruses are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, causing itchy, blistered and painful skin.
HSV travels from the skin surface and hibernates in nerve cells near the spinal cord. It waits for your immune system to get run down from stress, late nights, or too much fun, then bursts from your skin as a blistery, painful rash.
There’s no cure for HSV, but there are effective treatments. Reducing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the number and severity of herpes outbreaks. Antiviral medication can be taken for a few days when an outbreak occurs, or can be taken every day.
HEPATITIS C
It’s estimated that about 230,000 Australians are living with hepatitis C and more than 30,000 of these people don’t even know that they have it.
Hepatitis C is occasionally transmitted from sharing razors, needlestick injuries and from having sex, but people are at higher risk if they’ve reused needles for tattoos or injecting drugs.
We didn’t have a screening test for hepatitis C prior to 1990 and some people who received blood transfusions were accidentally infected with the virus. All blood donations in Australia are now vigilantly checked.
Hepatitis C resolves spontaneously in about 20 per cent of people, but 80 per cent develop a chronic infection that slowly damages the liver and increases their chance of liver cancer.
Antiviral medication has had a long history of causing terrible side effects and being poorly effective. Fortunately that’s all changed and new drugs are available that have few side effects and are highly effective at curing hepatitis C.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is mainly transmitted via sex, but can also be transmitted by reusing needles for tattoos, injecting drugs and from needlestick injuries.
And while HIV might not be as common as these other viruses, there’s still about 28,000 people living with HIV in Australia and it’s estimated that more than 3000 people are living with HIV but haven’t been tested.
Worldwide, the figures are much scarier. 40 million people are currently living with HIV and approximately 17 million of these people don’t know they have it. 2.6 million of these people are children under 15 years of age.
HIV under the microscope. This picture shows a human cell (in blue) infected with HIV (in yellow). Picture: National Institutoe of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
HIV under the microscope. This picture shows a human cell (in blue) infected with HIV (in yellow). Picture: National Institutoe of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesSource:Supplied
People usually feel healthy in the early stages of HIV infection, but the immune system gradually becomes damaged over many years. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) occurs when the immune system is unable to fight off simple infections and people can become extremely unwell.
HIV/AIDS is not the death sentence that it once was. Antiviral medication is so effective these days that people living with HIV have the same life expectancy as anyone else.
Thankfully the fear and stigma associated with HIV is diminishing as we understand more about the virus, know how to treat it, and how to prevent it.
Condoms used to be the only protection against HIV, but antiviral medication is dramatically changing Australia’s sexual landscape. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is now available in Australia and one pill a day is extremely effective at protecting people from HIV.
No comments:
Post a Comment