The tricky thing about HPV is that a person is infected but may not have symptoms. Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms. In about 90% of cases, the body's immune system clears the HPV naturally within 2 years.
But, sometimes, HPV infections are not cleared and can cause genital warts, rarely, warts in the throat, cervical cancer and less common but serious cancers, including cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx (back of the throat including base of the tongue and tonsils).
You can protect yourself by getting vaccinated but both vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil, are most effective when give at 11 and 12 years of age, before becoming sexually active.
Using a latex condom during sex can reduce the spread of STDs including HPV.
People can also lower their chances of getting HPV by being in a faithful relationship with one partner; limiting their number of sex partners; and choosing a partner who has had no or few prior sex partners. But even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV. And it may not be possible to determine if a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected. That's why the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.
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Let me try again.
No, you cannot get cancer from kissing.
The tricky thing about HPV is that a person is infected but may not have symptoms. Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms. In about 90% of cases, the body's immune system clears the HPV naturally within 2 years.
But, sometimes, HPV infections are not cleared and can cause genital warts, rarely, warts in the throat, cervical cancer and less common but serious cancers, including cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx (back of the throat including base of the tongue and tonsils).
You can protect yourself by getting vaccinated but both vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil, are most effective when give at 11 and 12 years of age, before becoming sexually active.
Using a latex condom during sex can reduce the spread of STDs including HPV.
People can also lower their chances of getting HPV by being in a faithful relationship with one partner; limiting their number of sex partners; and choosing a partner who has had no or few prior sex partners. But even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV. And it may not be possible to determine if a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected. That's why the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.
All the information which I have given you is from the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
Maryann
January 3, 2012 - 5:47pmThis Comment
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