HPV, also know as the human papillomavirus, is a collection of more than 100 viruses that can cause warts on various parts of the body. Although HPV is often considered a sexually transmitted infection, fewer than half of HPV viruses typically target the genital area; the rest are associated with other areas, including the hands, feet, face and eyelids. Learning more about how HPV is contracted may help you avoid getting genital HPV.
Unprotected Sex
Having vaginal or anal intercourse puts you at a high risk of getting HPV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that half of all people who engage in sexual activity will get HPV during their lifetimes. Fewer than 1 percent of those infected with HPV show any signs of it, and therefore many people who contract HPV do not know they have it. Dr, Lisa Marr, author of "Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Physician Tells You What You Need to Know," notes that much is still unknown about HPV, including whether the virus stays in the system forever, or it eventually goes away.
Sex With Condoms
Using condoms during anal or vaginal sex can decrease your risk of getting HPV, but sex with a someone who has genital warts is still a high-risk activity. This is because the virus may be present on parts of the genital area not covered by the condom.
Vaginal Delivery
Although the risk is considered low, the American Social Health Association's National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center says that it is possible for an infant to contract HPV from her mother after contact with warts during a vaginal delivery. If the infant does get HPV from her mother she may develop warts on her genitals, eyes or throat.
Amniotic Fluid
Dr. Marr notes that while highly unlikely, it is possible for a baby to contract HPV from his mother even before he is born. Dr. Marr says that HPV may be passed to the unborn child through the amniotic fluid, even when the mother is asymptomatic and no warts are present.
Oral Sex
Although the strains of HPV that cause genital warts typically affect only that area of the body, these strains can be spread to an uninfected sexual partner's face via oral sex.
Spermicide
The American Social Health Association's National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center warns that using spermicide heightens the risk of contracting HPV, because spermicide is irritating to the vagina and the rectal lining. The irritation causes abrasion in the vagina and rectal lining through which the virus is easily transmitted.
References
- "HPV"; Peggy J. Parks; 2009
- "Human Papillomavirus"; Don Nardo; 2007
- "Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Physician Tells You What You Need to Know"; Lisa Marr, MD; 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Common Warts
- American Social Health Association: National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center
- "S.E.X.: the All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College"; Heather Corina; 2007
