Who Gets HPV?
Anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person who has genital HPV. You are more likely to get HPV if you have: • Sex at an early age • Mulitple sex partners • Partner who has mulitple sex partners Since most people will have genital HPV at some point in their lives it is very important to screen for the disease by getting regular Pap Tests. Ways of Reducing the Risk of Exposure to HPV • Abstinence is the surest way • Being in a mutually faithful relationship with someone who has no or few sex partners • Limit the number of sex partners you have Exposure to the virus is possible even while wearing condoms because of infected areas that may not be covered. Genital HPV usually goes away on its own, without causing any health problems but the most serious consequence of genital HPV is cervical cancer in women. A Pap Test is the best way to screen for cervical cancer – It can save your life ! New Vaccine to Prevent Cervical Cancer In June 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immuni
