Getting What You Need for HPV Prevention
While most of the people, who contract the human papilloma virus, or HPV, never know they have, some people do. This is because they have developed one of the forms of HPV which does cause an individual to develop symptoms. Some of those who develop symptoms can develop lesions or warts. The lesions or warts on some people can be so severe that they require surgical treatment. In some of the people who develop these form of symptoms there is a possibility of the formation of cancer. All of these reasons are why people need to be informed about the forms of HPV prevention.
Vaccinations
The most commonly known form of HPV prevention is the vaccine which is administered to young females. While there have been extensive public service ad campaigns to spread awareness of this vaccine, little is still known about it. The vaccine is only available for females who are under the care of a gynecologist. These females are generally in their first few years of menstruation and need to not have yet become sexually active. This vaccine is administered in a serious of shots administered over a scheduled period of time.
The vaccine does not prevent all forms of HPV. The vaccine only prevents the strains of HPV strains 16 and 18. These are two of the strains which have been linked to formation of cervical cancer in women. As of now, there is no vaccine which has been developed to prevent strains of HPV for women outside of this age group. There have been no vaccines developed which are being used to prevent this virus in males.
Condom Use
Both men and women need to be aware that HPV requires as much prevention as other sexually transmitted diseases. This is because the some of the strains of HPV which are transmitted through sexual contact can cause warts, lesions and cancer.
Men and women who are sexually active need to practice safe sex since this has been proven to reduce the spread of this virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms should be used for vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Condoms should also be used on sexual toys and devices used during sex. This can prevent the formation of lesions and warts in the genital, anal, and mouth areas. This can also help reduce the possibility of HPV related cancer from forming in the labia, vagina, cervix, penis, anus, and throat.
Oral Sex
Anyone who engages in oral sex should be careful to use condom when oral sex is being performed ion a male. Dental dams should be used in cases when oral sex is being performed on a female. This can help reduce the possibility of the formation of lesions and warts in the mouth and throat area. There are some studies which suggest that this can also help prevent the formation of lesions and warts in the lungs. Using condoms and dental dams can also reduce the possibility of HPV cancer forming in the mouth, throat and lungs.
Gloves
Another form of HPV prevention can be done by using gloves when a person’s hands are going to come in contact with genitals. The gloves which are recommended for use in these situations are medial grade latex or rubber gloves. This is because some forms of HPV can be transmitted from one person to another by people touching prevent one another with hands that have touched infected genitals.
Additional Precautions
People who have common, flat, and planter’s warts from HPV need to prevent them from coming into contact with others. While HPV is rarely spread in this manner, it is possible and should be prevented.
Fact:
About 1% of sexually active men in the U.S. have genital warts at any one time.