HPV is not confined to any one country or culture.
The HPV virus is a disease that occurs anywhere people are sharing common living quarters or where people are having sex! The more common of the 250-odd strains of the HPV virus cause common warts.
These strains can be picked up anywhere where an infected person touches a surface where they leave the virus.
The HPV virus is very hardy, and can live on a cold dry surface for many hours or even a few days.
Many people find themselves infected with common warts on their hands or feet, and never know where they could have picked up the virus.
This infection is never serious, but can be unsightly, itchy or painful, embarrassing and annoying.
Often, it takes several applications of ointment and some help from your doctor to bring it under permanent control.
Sexually transmitted forms of HPV are far less common, but these strains exist anywhere in the world.
You can acquire one of these strains of HPV simply from engaging in sexual contact with another human being who is unknowingly carrying the virus.
When you are traveling, use the same common sense you would use at home when you are sexually active:
The HPV virus is a disease that occurs anywhere people are sharing common living quarters or where people are having sex! The more common of the 250-odd strains of the HPV virus cause common warts.
These strains can be picked up anywhere where an infected person touches a surface where they leave the virus.
The HPV virus is very hardy, and can live on a cold dry surface for many hours or even a few days.
Many people find themselves infected with common warts on their hands or feet, and never know where they could have picked up the virus.
This infection is never serious, but can be unsightly, itchy or painful, embarrassing and annoying.
Often, it takes several applications of ointment and some help from your doctor to bring it under permanent control.
Sexually transmitted forms of HPV are far less common, but these strains exist anywhere in the world.
You can acquire one of these strains of HPV simply from engaging in sexual contact with another human being who is unknowingly carrying the virus.
When you are traveling, use the same common sense you would use at home when you are sexually active:
- Practice safe sex.
As is true with all STDs, the more sexual partners you have, the higher the risk goes that you will become infected from one of them.
Studies have consistently shown that the likelihood of encountering health problems that probably originated with HPV infection rises in direct proportion to the number of sexual partners a person has had.
Know that most contraceptives offer no protection against HPV infection: only condoms offer some protection, and condoms never protect 100% against HPV. - Be smart about HPV.
When a partner claims that they don't have an STD, know that most people with the HPV virus never know they are carrying it.
Assume your partner has HPV and behave accordingly! - Know that only practicing oral sex does not make you safer from HPV - or from any other sexually transmitted disease.
Oral sex only protects you from pregnancy.
When it comes to HPV, the virus can indeed be passed, and can result in the eventual development of cancers of the throat, mouth, neck, and an HPV-related respiratory infection that can be very serious. - When at home, or when you are overseas for a year or more, do see a doctor for an annual exam to check for any problems that can arise from exposure to the HPV virus.
If you are a woman, always have a PAP smear, which checks for early signs of cervical cancer.
If you prefer to be sexually active with multiple partners, consider asking your doctor to give you the vaccine available to protect against HPV infection.
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