How to Limit Your Risk
How Can I Limit My Risk of Getting HPV, Genital Warts and Anal Warts?
- Be aware that the presence of genital or anal warts means an active and contagious HPV virus. Do not participate in sexual activity if you or your partner have genital or anal warts. Seek treatment.
- Abstaining from sex is the best way to keep from contracting any sexually transmitted disease
- Have sex with only one partner who only has sex with you. People that have multiple sex partners run the risk of contracting not only HPV but other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Condoms, when used the right way to cover the skin, can provide protection. However, there is no guarantee of 100% protection.
- The use of spermicidal products such as creams, jellies, foams and spermicidal coated condoms have not been proven to be effective in preventing HPV. In fact, these products have been known to cause microscopic abrasions that can make you even more vulnerable to contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
- When someone has been exposed to one strain of HPV, they are unlikely to be re-infected. However, since there are 40 types of HPV strains, it is possible to be infected with a different strain from a different partner. – Caring Help