Definition of HPV

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted disease spread through skin-to-skin contact, particularly genital contact. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that at least at least 50 percent of people who have sex, even with a condom, will contract HPV during their lifetime.

Time Frame

• After contracting HPV the disease usually incubates for between one and six months. After treatment, the disease can be latent for at least three years but can still be spread even if you do not show any symptoms.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for HPV include having sex with multiple partners or having sex with someone who has had multiple partners. Because HPV may not show symptoms people can pass it on without knowing they are infected. You can still transmit HPV even if you use a condom.

Effects

• Certain strains of HPV have been found to cause genital warts, cervical cancer and vaginal cancer. There are more than 100 strains of HPV and 30 exist in the genital area that are low-risk strains, which cause warts. There are 13 high-risk strains of HPV, which can cause cervical cancer.

Prevention

• The only way to prevent HPV with certainty is to abstain from sex with anyone who may have HPV. Using condoms does not remove the risk because HPV can be spread by contact between uncovered areas. A vaccine called Gardasil prevents several strains of HPV and can be taken by women from age nine to 26.

Treatment

• According to the FDA, as of 2009 there is no cure for HPV but there are treatments for some of the effects including genital warts and cervical caner.