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Can You Pass HPV to Your Offspring?

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a disease many women are concerned about. It is sexually transmitted and can cause genital warts. But it can be even more of a concern for pregnant women who are afraid they will pass HPV to their unborn child. According to research, it is very rare that HPV will be passed to the child, but there are recommendations you can follow to try and prevent it.

  1. What is HPV?

    • Testing is as easy as your annual exam.

      HPV is passed through sexual contact in the genital region. It is rare, but it can also be passed during oral sex.

      HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, with officials estimating that more than 20 million people in the United States have been infected by the disease.

      For women, HPV increases the chance of getting cervical cancer. It can also cause genital warts. But in many cases people have HPV and don't even know about it because it doesn't create any symptoms and often goes away on its own.

      Most importantly, HPV can be prevented. Gardasil is a vaccine given to women ages 9 to 26, which helps prevent the spread of HPV.

    Pregnancy

    • Women with HPV may show signs or they may not. Pregnant women with genital warts and active forms of HPV may want to take extra precautions when delivering the child.

      Just having HPV and becoming pregnant does not mean your child now has HPV. HPV can only be transmitted by touch, so it is not automatically spread to the unborn child. But your doctor may encourage you to have a C-section birth instead of a vaginal birth so the child does not contract HPV.

    Will My Child Get HPV?

    • Lower your risk by only having one partner at a time.

      It is very rare that a child will get HPV even during a vaginal birth, but it is up to you, your partner and your doctor to decide what is the best method for you.

    Protect the Child

    • In some cases, the child can get warts in the mouth or throat after birth. But in general, the child's overall health is not in danger. In some cases the child develops common warts on the hands or feet, which are easy to remove.

    Talk to Your Doctor

    • Overall, the best advice is to talk to your doctor about how you manage your HPV and how this management could change when you become pregnant.

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