HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a common sexually transmitted infection. The virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact, and there are various types. Some cause genital warts, which are considered low risk. Others can lead to cervical, anal or oral cancer, which is potentially deadly.

With the HPV vaccine, people can protect themselves from the virus. Even though some people still die from HPV, the advancements in medicine and technology make the dire effects of the virus less of a concern.

Cancers
HPV infections can lead to certain cancers for men and women.
HPV can cause cancers of the following:

• Cervix, vagina, and vulva in women
• Penis in men
• Anus in both men and women
• Back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both men and women

Cancer generally takes years or even decades to develop after becoming infected with HPV. There is no sure way to determine whether someone will develop cancer. However, people with weakened immune systems may be less likely to fight off HPV infections. Individuals living with HIV/AIDS are more prone to health problems from HPV.

Cervical Cancer

More than 9 of every 10 cases of cervical cancer result from HPV.

Every year in the United States:

• Nearly 200,000 women are diagnosed with a cervical precancer
• 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer caused by HPV
• Over 4,000 women die from cervical cancer

Cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Since HPV vaccines and cervical cancer screening have become available, cervical cancer is now preventable. Women who are vaccinated should still receive regular cervical cancer screenings starting at age 21.

Prevention Techniques

Using condoms correctly every time you have sex can help reduce the risk of contracting HPV. However, condoms do not cover all of the genital skin, so they are not 100% effective in protecting against the spread of HPV. People who have genital warts should refrain from sex until the warts are removed.

Other ways of reducing HPV contraction and transmission are:

• Women have regular pap tests to look for abnormal changes in the cervix
• Individuals stop having sexual contact as soon as they know or think they have genital warts (They should seek treatment immediately)
• Get vaccinated with one of the three available HPV vaccines. Gardasil and Gardasil 9 protect against the progression of cervical cancer and genital warts. They are approved for girls ages 9 to 26 and boys ages 9 to 26 for help with genital warts. Cervarix is only authorized for women to protect them from cervical cancer. It does not shield you from several HPV strains that cause warts.

Things To Consider

It is best to get the vaccine before starting sexual activity. If you already have HPV, the vaccine does not treat or cure it, but it can help fight other types of HPV infection.

If you get HPV, see your doctor as soon as possible. They can discuss various treatment options with you, including laser therapy, prescription cream, and cryosurgery.

Passport Health offers HPV vaccination at all locations to help keep you protected. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Shelbi Jackson. Shelbi is a freelance writer from Illinois. She enjoys writing about various topics from health care to music and book reviews. In her free time, you can find her at a live event, taking a stroll outside, or playing with the family dogs.

Hiking up very high mountains is a surreal feeling that can only be described through experience. As elevation builds, oxygen supply reduces and you may find it more difficult to breathe. Here are 3 simple hacks for how to conserve your oxygen supply and breathe better while at high elevations.

1. Breathe Into Cupped Hands

If you find yourself hyperventilating at higher elevations, this means that your body is struggling to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide effectively. When this happens, you can simply breathe into cupped hands or into a covered object such as a brown paper bag. This will help you re-breathe your own carbon dioxide, motivating your body to take in more oxygen. It’s all a science related to gas exchange and while it may be a little bit difficult to grasp the concept, it works! Try it the next time you find yourself gasping for air while hiking among the clouds.

2. Get Into a Good Position

If you’re hungry for air while at higher altitudes, it may be tempting to lie down since the decrease in oxygen might make you weaker. But, if you’re looking to breathe better, you need to position yourself in a way that will allow for optimal chest expansion. This means positions that don’t press down on your chest or your back, the anatomical regions of your lungs. So no lying down! Your best bet would be to sit down straight without leaning your back on anything or to sit down bent over with your head resting on your knees or on a boulder. Even though nothing is pressing down on your chest while standing, this position isn’t the best when you’re finding it hard to breathe. Low oxygen may cause you to experience dizziness and muscle twitching, which might cause you to fall and hurt yourself if you’re standing.

3. Grab Portable Oxygen

There are now a wide array of portable oxygen cans on the market. These cans are specialized for hikers to use while at very high altitudes. Stashing a few of these cans in your backpack is definitely a great idea if you want to breathe better when you’re hiking. Portable oxygen for hikers isn’t expensive. Some of the most inexpensive brands run from just $10 per can.

Breathe Better While Hiking

If you still find yourself struggling to breathe even after using some of these better breathing hacks, you should come down the mountain. As you get to lower altitudes, your breathing will most likely improve. However, if you’re still taking shallow breaths on the mainland, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. With reliable travel health insurance, you can visit a clinic in the vicinity regardless of if you’re a local to the area. After getting medical attention, you should be able to go up some mountains and enjoy the great outdoors once more!

Planning a hiking trip abroad? Make sure you are prepared with rabies, typhoid and other key vaccinations from Passport Health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Ese Agboh is a student nurse who wants to specialize in pediatric nursing and wound care. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing articles related to medicine and the pathophysiology of communicable diseases. Ese currently lives and studies on the east coast of the United States.

Looking for a place to stay while you are planning your next trip can be daunting sometimes. But every now and then, a gem of a booking comes along that you just can’t pass up. If you are a world traveler that is always on the lookout for the next great getaway, these quirky Airbnbs will have you wanting to book a trip this weekend just to hang out in these fun stays.

Cabana Floripa

With its mind-blowingly beautiful and colorful glass walls, you get a spectacular view of the entire territory. Cabana Floripa in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil truly gives you the stay of a lifetime. It was created with the earth in mind and is created with reusable materials. It can house five people and features a loft with a double bed, and the common room is filled with walls of beautiful up-cycled bottles.

The Seashell House

If you have ever wondered what living inside of one of the ocean’s beautiful seashells is, The Seashell House in Isla Mujeres, Mexico features immaculate king beds, beautifully rounded staircases, and incredible views of the Caribbean Sea right across the street. It is a private and gated property, so you don’t have to worry about being around tourists if that’s not your thing. The beach is just across the way, to crystal blue waters. If you are looking to stay in an architectural masterpiece, this home is the way to go.

Casa Arbol – Treehouse life in SJDS

Have you dreamed of sleeping in a treehouse, high in the air, private and beautiful? Take a stay in Casa Arbol- Treehouse life in SJDS in San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua. It overlooks the Pacific Ocean, giving you spectacular and breathtaking views. You can listen to the calls of the exotic birds that live in the beautiful flora below you. Inside the house, you will find modern amenities, like wifi and flat-screen televisions. The bedrooms have amazing views of the forest. It even has a pool where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the nature surrounding you.

Unique and Secluded AirShip

If you love to watch the stars at night, this Unique and Secluded AirShip in Drimnin, Scotland, United Kingdom is the perfect place to do it. It has one bedroom and one bath, and can sleep two people. The unique and quirky architecture of this home is beautiful and appealing to the eye. You are able to see the lovely Sound of Mull from the windows of this sweet pod dwelling.

There are so many unique places to stay all across the world. It can be a lot of fun checking out local Airbnbs in or near your destination, you never know, you may find a hidden gem.

Planning an international trip? Make sure you’re healthy while abroad with Passport Health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Jennifer Passmore is a stay-at-home mom, writer and beader. She loves creating art with her words and through her jewelry. She is also a passionate mental health advocate. You can find more writing at her website Positivity In Pain.

If you’re researching passport cards, you might question whether or not they’re worth your time and money. Passport cards were issued starting in 2008 by the U.S. State Department as a more affordable and efficient way for U.S. citizens to travel across borders. But what’s the distinction between books and cards? While we can use passport books to travel globally, a passport card is exclusive to one continent.

Passport cards are valid for domestic flights within the U.S. and traveling by either land or sea to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and multiple islands in the Caribbean. They’re both valid for ten years for anyone sixteen and over and valid for five years for minors, so depending on your travel plans, a passport card can be a significantly more economical choice. Since the cards aren’t valid for crossing into all countries, getting a passport card will cost significantly less: while a book will set you back $110 for an application and $35 to get the actual book, cards are only $30 for an application and $35 for an execution fee.

While passport books can be bulky and difficult to carry on you at all times, passport cards can easily fit in most standard wallet pockets. The size of a passport card ensures extra safety and accessibility, too; as with passport books, you’ll likely need to have a separate accessory to carry your book. And while passport books are more susceptible to wear and tear or going missing, meaning expensive replacements, passport cards are made of plastic, so they’re much more sturdier and, should anything happen to it, much cheaper to replace.

They’re also incredibly convenient for simple border crossings or cruises, allowing you to get access across border lines much quicker than with a passport book. It can also serve you as an alternate form of ID. By 2023, the TSA will require any traveler eighteen or older to show a REAL ID-compliant license or another form of verified ID. If you can’t update your current license, your passport card can save you the headache of an afternoon at the DMV.

The reality is while a passport book can unlock anywhere in the globe for you, passport cards can be a wise and versatile decision depending on your travel situation. The passport card can be a worthwhile partner for your next adventure with benefits like an additional form of ID, lower upfront costs, and added security and durability.

Planning a trip? Make sure you are prepared with Passport Health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by CJ Darnieder. CJ is a freelance writer and editor in Chicago. He is an avid lover of classical music and stand-up comedy and loves to write both in his spare time.

Infants and children are more susceptible to colds because their immune systems aren’t as strong. This means that it’s very likely that your baby will catch a cold. It’s very likely that they may catch a cold multiple times. What should you do if your baby gets a cold?

When Your Baby Has a Cold

It’s no surprise that babies are prone to catching colds. Their immune systems have just been newly introduced into the environment so they don’t quite yet know how to fight off the common pathogens that surround us. This includes the bacteria that causes the common cold.

When your baby catches a cold, it’s important to understand that the cold itself is not a dangerous sickness. Developing colds is a normal part of growth in infants and children and it can help strengthen their immune systems. But, the symptoms that arise as part of the common cold should be watched carefully since these could indicate signs of a more dangerous infection.

Symptoms of the Cold

When your baby has a cold, they will often show the following symptoms:

• Irritability or inconsolability
• Sneezing and coughing (coughing usually occurs at later stages of the disease process)
• Runny nose (the mucous will be clear initially and then yellow or green later on)
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

Other symptoms include drooling and even vomiting or diarrhea. Some of these symptoms are more dangerous than others as they could be signs of worse infections, such as the flu, whooping cough or pneumonia. If it’s simply an infant cold, the symptoms will resolve in about 10 days and will get better with proper hydration and rest. If symptoms seem to worsen or last longer than 10 days, this may be a sign of a more dangerous infection.

Check the Fever

Your baby may develop a slight fever when they have a cold. This is normal and indicates that your baby’s immune system is working to fight off the infection. But, if the fever doesn’t go away within 10 days and seems to be increasing in temperature, your baby may have the flu. If this is the case, contact your primary healthcare provider or seek urgent medical attention. The flu is particularly dangerous for infants.

Check the Cough

If your baby’s cough seems to be getting worse after a week of the cold, it’s important to start paying particular attention to the type of sounds your baby makes when coughing. A long lasting cough characterized by a high pitched “whoop” sound on inhalation could mean that your baby has whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Seek medical attention right away if you suspect that your baby has developed whooping cough.

Check the Breathing

The common cold is an upper respiratory illness. This means that it typically won’t cause difficulty breathing because it doesn’t affect the lungs. If it seems like your baby is having trouble breathing, immediately see your primary healthcare provider. Difficulty breathing is characterized by rapid breaths, grunting and wheezing sounds and visible chest retractions. These symptoms in addition to symptoms of the common cold could indicate that your baby has pneumonia.

Don’t Panic

If your baby develops a cold, there is absolutely no need to panic. This is part of the growth process for babies and children. The common cold can strengthen their immune system and get it ready to fight off the bacteria in the future. However, pay close attention to the length of time symptoms last. If symptoms last beyond 10 days and seem to worsen, seek medical attention.

Planning a trip abroad with your infant? Make sure you both are protected with vaccines and advice from Passport Health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Ese Agboh is a student nurse who wants to specialize in pediatric nursing and wound care. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing articles related to medicine and the pathophysiology of communicable diseases. Ese currently lives and studies on the east coast of the United States.