Facts About Hpv And Oral Sex

Looking for some facts about HPV and oral sex? HPV (human papillomavirus) is considered a sexually transmitted disease, and oral sex is one of the ways to contract the virus. You might experience symptoms from the virus while your partner may not.

1. Anyone sexually active can be infected by HPV. It doesn’t matter the age, race, color, gender or sexual preference. It’s more common for young, sexually active females to be infected by HPV than males. That’s why it’s so important for young women to get an annual Pap smear to check for any abnormalities that can be caused by HPV.
2. With so many strands of HPV, men can be infected as much as women. Men may be at greater risk of being infected with a stronger strand of the virus, which can cause cancer, and there is no test for men to take. Genital warts around the penis and anus can be detected as early as a few weeks after coming in sexual contact with someone infected with HPV.
3. A person can transmit HPV through oral sex. Coming in contact with any infected person’s genitals, even through oral sex, means that the HPV virus can be passed on to you. Penetration does not have to occur to get infected, and condoms may lessen the possibility, but they don’t eliminate the risk entirely as any skin-to-skin contact where sexual organs and bodily fluids are involved has the potential to spread the virus. Even though the risk of spreading HPV through oral sex may not be as high as it is through vaginal and anal intercourse, it is still too great of a risk to take.
4. Symptoms may occur when you have been infected with HPV. It’s also possible to not experience any symptoms at all, even when you have been exposed to the virus. If you notice a cluster of round bumps (resembling cauliflower) around the genitals or inside the vagina, these may possibly be genital warts; they can even be detected in the mouth. This is something you need to get checked out immediately with your doctor.
5. There is a vaccine called Gardasil that protects young girls and women from HPV. It doesn’t cure you of this infection if you have already contacted the virus before getting the vaccine. The vaccine works best on young girls and women who are not sexually active or haven’t come in contact with someone infected with HPV.

These are some of the facts about HPV you need to be more informed on the risks and prevention of HPV. The more you know about this virus and the precautions you should take, the less chance you have of becoming infected with HPV.