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HPV and genital warts

Description: read this article to know how you can prevent HPV and genital warts. This article lists the prevention methods that can help you stay safe.

HPV or human Papillomavirus is one of the most common STDs that is spread through virus that can be infected through sexual contact with an infected person. HPV can cause several symptoms like genital warts and cervical cancer depending on the type of HPV, there are more than 100 different types of HPV that are known to us as of today. Although HPV is not curable, treatment of genital warts is possible.

The best possible thing to do is to prevent HPV by taking several measures and by being careful in the first place. Detecting HPV can be quite tough since the symptoms of HPV do not occur for three months and some times even years after being affected. In many cases the genital warts too are not visible to the naked eye which makes the diagnosis that much tougher.

Like other STDs HPV too is mainly spread through unsafe sex and although the symptoms might seem to be like herpes, genital warts are quite different and should be treated differently. By following the suggestions mentioned below you can easily avoid the risk of getting infected by HPV:

• Practicing safe sex is the most important and the easiest way to ensure that HPV is not contracted. It is important to talk to a partner about STDs before indulging in any physical intimacy. Asking a partner if they have or have had a history of STDs in the past is every important, if there is any history in the past or even if the partner doubts that he/she might have an STD it is best to avoid sex with them.

• It is advisable to have only one sex partner at all times. Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of HPV drastically. Having only one sex partner and being faithful decreases your risk of HPV and of other STDs.

• If you experience any symptoms of HPV warts do not have sex till you have been examined by a doctor and have been diagnosed. Having sex while you have symptoms may spread the virus to your partner.

• Using a condom each time you have sex can decrease your risk of STDs. Ensure that you use a condom or insist that your partner uses a condom each and every time you have sexual contact of any sort.

• For females, even though you might be using birth control pills it is important to use female condoms if your partner does not have a condom or if he is not willing to use a condom during sex.

• There is a vaccine available which can protect against the four main types of HPV which are the most common types of HPV and the ones that are mainly responsible for causing cervical cancer and genital warts in individuals. The vaccine can be given to females who are 9 to 12 years old and even to females from 13 to 26 years old who have not received the vaccination earlier. This vaccine can only help prevent HPV and not treat those who already have HPV.