HPV infection is a condition that affects nearly 25 million people in the United States. The infection is contracted from one of a group of more than 100 related human papillomaviruses (HPVs).

Each case of HPV has the aptitude to result in abnormal growths such as warts and lesions on the body. Warts can grow anywhere on the body and may appear singly or in clusters.

In some cases, HPV can cause cancer of the narrow outlet of the uterus called the cervix. Cancers of the genitals, anus, mouth or throat may also occur but not all HPV infections lead to cancer.

HPV infections that may develop into cancerous (malignant) growths are generally treated through wart or lesion removal.

Often times people don’t even know they have an HPV infection because warts or lesions don’t surface initially but that doesn’t mean they won’t surface and eventually increase risk of transmission. Genital warts are highly contagious and can be transmitted during oral, vaginal and anal sex.

Signs and symptoms of an HPV infection depend on the type of infection and may include:

Genital warts - HPV infections of types 6 and 11 cause most genital warts which appear on the genitalia.

Pre-malignant genital lesions - Cellular changes that indicate the presence of precancerous lesions.
"Low grade" abnormalities - Which usually resolve on their own and are common in HPV infections of types 6 and 11.

High-grade abnormalities - Which typically do not resolve may advance to cancer, most commonly in the cervix. These abnormalities are most commonly caused by HPV infections of types 16 and 18.

Oral and upper respiratory lesions - These lesions are typically caused by low-risk HPV types, such as 6 and 11, and high-risk types, such as 16 and 18 and will usually appear on the tongue, tonsils, larynx soft palate, and in the nose.

Cervical cancer and other tumors - In most cases, high risk type HPV infections don't develop into cancer. With persistent infections — generally lasting more than two years — however, risk of cancer is greater.

HPV infections are responsible for almost every case of cervical cancer, a disease that takes the lives of an estimated 4,000 women a year. Roughly 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer are caused by types 16 and 18 which may also contribute to other types of cancers.

Common warts - These nonmalignant skin growths typically appear on the hands, fingers or around fingernails.

Plantar warts - These hard, grainy, growths that usually appear on the heel or ball of the feet are non-malignant as well but they may cause discomfort or pain.

Flat warts - These slightly raised lesions are usually darker than the regular skin color, are non-malignant and will typically appear on the face, hands, neck, wrists, knees or elbows.

A person becomes infected with HPV when the virus enters the body through a cut, abrasion or a small tear in the outer layer of the skin. Skin to skin contact is generally how the virus is transferred.

In cases where HPV infections cause genital warts and related lesions, the method of transmission is generally sexual intercourse, anal sex and other skin-to-skin contact in the genital regions.

Very few cases of HPV occur as a result of a mother transmitting the infection to her child during delivery. But it is possible.

There are many medical treatments available for warts. However, all have side effects. Some of the medical treatments for common and plantar warts consist of freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, the use of certain chemicals applied topically and surgical removal.

The regimen outlined below can help treat & prevent HPV both safely & naturally:

Sexual contact with anyone who may have symptoms suggesting they have genital warts should be avoided.

Intake of sugars and refined foods should be reduced.
Red meat consumption should be reduced while intake of vegetables and fruits should be increased.

Help boost the immune system by drinking plenty of pure water, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep.

Apply a paste consisting of castor oil and baking soda to a common wart. Use the mixture every night for a minimum of three weeks as this may remove the warts.

You can also apply a crushed clove of garlic directly on a common wart and cover it with a bandage for twenty-four hours. This should cause a blister to form and the wart should fall off in a week or so.

If you suspect you have genital warts, see a professional healthcare practitioner immediately.

The following supplements may be beneficial in treating symptoms associated with HPV:

Vitamin B Complex (50 mg of each major B vitamin 3 times daily) - Important in normal cell multiplication.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (4,000 - 10,000 mg daily in divided doses) - Has powerful antiviral properties.

Zinc (50 - 80 mg daily) - Enhances immunity against viruses.

Goldenseal, Tea Tree and Pau d' Arco - Each holds potent antiviral properties and have been used externally to treat warts.

Aloe Vera - Has healing and soothing properties.

Kyolic Liquid Garlic - Apply two to three drops to the wart daily. According to a study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, liquid garlic extract can successfully treat warts with limited side effects.

L-Cysteine - (500 mg twice daily on an empty stomach) - An amino acid that provides sulfur, which is needed to prevent and treat warts.

Echinacea (take as directed on label) - Strengthens the immune system.

Astragalus - Aids the body in combating viral and bacterial infections.