How to Control HPV
The human papillomas virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), HPV is considered the most common STI, with more than 40 types affecting both males and females. Most persons with HPV never exhibit symptoms or suffer from health problems, and the CDC claims that 90% of the cases resolve naturally in two years. Another type of HPV causes genital warts or cervical cancers, and other less common cancers occur in the vagina and vulva in women and the penis in men. HPV is transmitted from genital contact and can pass to a baby during childbirth. There is no test to diagnose or treat the disease, but there are several ways to control HPV.
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Instructions
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Procedure
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Consult a physician to get the two vaccines (3-dose regimen) used to protect women and men. It is recommended that girls 11 to 12 years of age (9 years of age in some cases) get the vaccinations. This works best before the first sexual contact.
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Get the vaccines if you are a girl or woman age 13 to 26 years and never received the vaccine or if you started the regimen but did not get the three doses.
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Get the vaccine if you are a male between ages 9 and 26 years old to protect against genital warts.
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Use condoms during and throughout all sexual contact to lower the risks of contracting HPV. Condoms can protect against cervical cancer and genital warts.
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Be faithful to one sexual partner, or choose someone who has had no or few sexual relationships in his or her past, and you will significantly reduce your risk of contracting HPV.
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Abstinence (no sexual relationship) is the only sure way to avoid the disease.
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Tips & Warnings
All three doses must be taken, and all doses must be of the same brand to be effective.
Only one type of vaccine is available to boys and men; two types are available to women and girls.
The use of condoms does not guarantee full protection, because HPV can affect other areas not covered by a condom.
