How can you get HPV exactly?

Question

I keep hearing that you can already have the virus without being sexually active. Is that true? I am getting so many mixed messages and answers from websites and Im not sexually active but will be someday and want to know more and not just the dictionary definitions bc that just confuses me more. thanks Any information on HPV would be great and please in lamens terms because everything else just makes my head spin lol

My only problem with the vacination is its so new and they dont really know the long term affects (as far as I know) So you CANNOT get HPV that causes cancer or warts without some sort of contact with someone that does have it??? Is that how it works? You cant just have that type of HPV??

Answer 1

When most people talk about HPV they are talking about the sexually transmitted kind of HPV. There are actually over 120 different kinds of HPV and only about 30 of those kinds are sexually transmitted.

Some kinds of HPV (non sexually kinds) can cause common warts, like warts found on the hands, elbows, knees, feet, etc. These kinds of HPV are NOT spread by sex.

The kinds of HPV that are sexually transmitted (genital HPV) are the kinds that can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, and other RARE kinds of cancer like penile and anal cancer.

Genital HPV can be spread by sex (vaginal, oral, and anal) and by DIRECT skin to skin contact with the infected area. Condoms HELP prevent the spread of the virus, but they are not 100% effective. Since the condom only covers the man's penis and NOT his entire genital area, just the rubbing back and forth of the genital skin during sex is enough to spread the virus.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm

Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes, it is possible to contract HPV without being sexually active. Simply rubbing body parts that may have the virus can do it. That is why even if you're wearing a condom you're not protected.

There is a fairly new vaccine against HPV. It is a series of three shots over 6 months. It doesn't protect all strains of HPV but protects quite a few of the more common ones. I highly recommend doing this because HPV is directly related to a lot of cervical cancers.

Answer 3

HPV is a virus, and there are many different strains of it - about 130. Think of it as a family that has lots and lots of relatives. They're all related, but they're all a little bit different. Some strains of HPV cause genital warts. Others can cause warts on your hands or feet. Four have been shown to cause cervical cancer. Others can lead to infertility. And some strains don't do much of anything, especially if they're caught early and treated. Your doctor should be able to tell you what strain of HPV you have once your test results are confirmed, and what symptoms (if any) you can expect.

Answer 4

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