Can You Get HPV From One Exposure?
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted disease that affects people of any race, age and gender. Though contraction of the virus may take just seconds, the virus can cause warts to develop over time on the skin when an infected person comes into contact with a non-infected person.
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Identification
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The warts resulting from HPV are flesh-colored and may appear alone or in clusters, according HPV information from the University of Illinois. Before warts even appear on the skin, DNA tests can be done to detect HPV.
Geography
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HPV can appear anywhere on the skin, but will usually be found in and around the genitals, tongue, throat and on the female cervix. HPV grows better inside the female vagina and female or male anus, according to Outinamerica.com.
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Time frame
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HPV can be transmitted and contracted after just one exposure, though it could take days, weeks or months to see any symptoms of the virus, as stated on Ashastd.org.
Symptoms
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People with HPV may experience itchy skin, tiny red bumps, bleeding and pain when experiencing bowel movements.
Prevention/solution
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The only way to prevent HPV is to avoid sexual contact. Even wearing a condom may not fully protect you. A three-step vaccine for men and women called Gardasil is helpful in protecting you from contracting HPV. All it takes is one brush with someone who is infected and you may carry the virus for years, according to Ashastd.org.
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