How to Prevent HPV
Updated June 08, 2015.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that both men and women can get. It is currently the most common sexually transmitted disease, with over 20 million Americans infected.
HPV is known to cause cervical cancer, genital warts, and is linked to several other types of cancer.
This includes any sexual contact and is not limited to interourse. Because abstinence is not realistic for most adults, other means of protection must be used to reduce the risk of developing HPV.
There is no cure for HPV, though the virus often goes away on its own without medical treatment. It can be detected through routine Pap smears in women. Unfortunately, there is no medical HPV screening test for men. Genital warts can be diagnosed visually by a doctor.
Get the HPV vaccine.Gardasil, the current HPV vaccine being offered, is available to girls as young as 9 through the age of 26. The vaccine targets young girls before they become sexually active, in hopes of protecting them before exposure to the virus. However, it is protective even for women who are already active and have the possibility of being exposed to new partners.
The vaccine is given in three separate injections over a course of six months. We don't know exactly how long the virus provides protection, but research suggests that it is effective for at least five years.
Gardasil protects against two types of HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer. It also protects against two types of HPV that cause genital warts.
Limit the amount of sexual partners you have in your lifetime. The more sexual partners you have, the increased risk of contracting HPV. Remember, HPV is very common and it is estimated that 80 percent of people will be infected with HPV at some time during their lives.
Wear a condom. Although there is limited research concerning just how effective condoms are against HPV, condoms may provide some protection. A recent study at the University of Washington found that women whose partners always wore condoms and did so correctly decreased their risk of being infected by 70 percent.
HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, not via exchange of bodily fluids. Therefore no intercourse is needed for the HPV virus to be transmitted. This is why researchers believe condoms provide very limited protection.
References:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that both men and women can get. It is currently the most common sexually transmitted disease, with over 20 million Americans infected.
HPV is known to cause cervical cancer, genital warts, and is linked to several other types of cancer.
Protecting Yourself from HPV
The only true method of protecting yourself against HPV is to abstain from all sexual activity.This includes any sexual contact and is not limited to interourse. Because abstinence is not realistic for most adults, other means of protection must be used to reduce the risk of developing HPV.
There is no cure for HPV, though the virus often goes away on its own without medical treatment. It can be detected through routine Pap smears in women. Unfortunately, there is no medical HPV screening test for men. Genital warts can be diagnosed visually by a doctor.
Get the HPV vaccine.Gardasil, the current HPV vaccine being offered, is available to girls as young as 9 through the age of 26. The vaccine targets young girls before they become sexually active, in hopes of protecting them before exposure to the virus. However, it is protective even for women who are already active and have the possibility of being exposed to new partners.
The vaccine is given in three separate injections over a course of six months. We don't know exactly how long the virus provides protection, but research suggests that it is effective for at least five years.
Gardasil protects against two types of HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer. It also protects against two types of HPV that cause genital warts.
Limit the amount of sexual partners you have in your lifetime. The more sexual partners you have, the increased risk of contracting HPV. Remember, HPV is very common and it is estimated that 80 percent of people will be infected with HPV at some time during their lives.
Wear a condom. Although there is limited research concerning just how effective condoms are against HPV, condoms may provide some protection. A recent study at the University of Washington found that women whose partners always wore condoms and did so correctly decreased their risk of being infected by 70 percent.
HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, not via exchange of bodily fluids. Therefore no intercourse is needed for the HPV virus to be transmitted. This is why researchers believe condoms provide very limited protection.
References:
- Winer, Ph.D., Rachel, James P. Hughes, Ph.D., Qinghua Feng, Ph.D., Sandra O'Reilly, B.S., Nancy B. Kiviat, M.D., King K. Holmes, M.D., Ph.D., and Laura A. Koutsky, Ph.D.. "Condom Use and the Risk of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection in Young Women." New England Journal of Medicine 354:2645-265422 Jun 2006. Accessed 19 Nov 2006.
- "HPV Vaccine Q and A." National Immunization Program. 07 July 2006. Centers for Disease Control. 19 Nov 2006.
- Centers for Disease and Prevention."Sexually Transmitted Disease Guidelines 2006." Sep 2006. Accessed 7 Nov 2006.
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