Encomium
The threat of oral sex is taking an alarming dimension. Findings have revealed that youth and young couples indulge in this sordid act. Giving oral sex to a man (blow job) has been proven to be risky. The dreaded HIV aides could be transmitted through oral sex.
Scientists believe it could cause cervical cancer, the pervasive but often silent Human Papillonia Virus (HPV) has been finding its way into women’s mouth.
ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke with some doctors who were against the practice of oral sex as it is a means of contacting deadly diseases. Although the HPV itself is not actually cancerous, it can only affect cells causing abnormal tissue growth in the mouth, the lips, the tongue, inside of the cheeks and the throat.
According to experts, detecting the disease in its early stage can increase survival chances by 90 percent. Knowing how to spot the symptoms, the virus occurs more in the genital area, if not taken care of can cause cervical cancer.
The HPV is very prevalent in Nigeria and instances of cancer are rising. The important thing is that HPV does not lead to HIV as they are two different viruses that affect different parts of the body.
According to a study published by Nigerian Medical Journal in 2015, there is a strong need to raise awareness about the dangers of HPV and the vaccinations that can prevent it. If Nigerians are ignoring the most common type of cancer created by HPV, then mouth cancer is going to be even deadlier.
In a chat with Dr Iyke, who agreed that the HPV virus exists, he advised against the practice of oral sex. It is not medically healthy. HPV is mostly gotten amongst sexually active people. When the virus is gotten, it has a time line, especially for women depending on the person’s age. As a woman, to confirm if the virus is there and mostly found in the genital area, the person will have to undergo a screening called Papanicolar Screen (PAPScreen). If the virus is fully grown and the oraficial structures have been damaged, it shows through Ebora cancer.
The virus is not only gotten through oral sex but through anal and genital sex. The Human Papilloma Virus affects the skin exposed to moisture, such as the mouth, rectum, cervix and throat.
HOW ORAL SEX CAN KILL
One thing PHV shares with HIV is that the carrier usually has no idea he has the virus. The carrier develops the virus and passes it during the exchange of bodily fluids with someone else. The recipient is the one who runs the risk of contracting whatever disease the virus creates.
Which means, the person giving oral sex is at risk of getting the HPV virus from the person she is pleasuring and then the virus could trigger cancerous cell growth in the recipient.
However, the rise in the number of throat and mouth cancer due to oral sex cannot be ignored as the virus is hard to detect and can move quickly once it is passed to someone.
Nigerians have to put more emphasis on being vaccinated against HPV and diminishing the possibilities of contacting any kind of disease from oral sex. HPV virus can be reduced through protection during oral sex which is now preferred among couples.
The rise of the virus in Nigeria can be frustrating to hear. Oral sex is no longer a safe alternative to intercourse, except with proper precaution.
-GLORY OSIGWE
-GLORY OSIGWE
