HPV is the most common STI. There were about 43 million HPV infections in 2018, many among people in their late teens and early 20s. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems, including genital warts and cancers. But there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening. HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes).
How is HPV spread?
You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex. A person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even when they have no signs or symptoms.
If you are sexually active, you can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after having sex with someone who has the infection. This makes it hard to know when you first got it. signs or symptoms.
How can I avoid HPV and the health problems it can cause?
You can do several things to lower your chances of getting HPV.
Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is safe and effectiv. It can protect against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups.
Get tested regularly. Regular screening is important for detecting HPV and cervical cancer early on. While hospital screening is an option, at-home HPV test kits are also available that are simple, rapid, and cost-effective. These tests are as accurate as tests that doctors provide and test for several high-risk strains of HPV.
If you are sexually active:
Practice safe sex. Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. This can lower your chances of getting HPV. But HPV can infect areas the condom does not cover. So, condoms may not fully protect against getting HPV; and
Be in a mutually monogamous relationship–or have sex only with someone who only has sex with you.
By taking these steps, you can help reduce your risk of developing HPV and stay healthy.
Post time: Oct-28-2023