How much do you really know about the cervical-cancer causing STD? (11 Photos)
Jill Provost on Oct 6, 2011 at 10:11AM
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Fact: Condoms reduce the risk of getting HPV, but they don’t eliminate your risk entirely. Besides sexual intercourse, HPV can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact -- and areas not covered by a rubber may be infected with the virus. In fact, the entire genital region, from the anus to the scrotum or vulva, can transmit the disease including finger-to-genital contact. That means even virgins who engage in sexual activities besides intercourse can be infected. You don’t have to have warts, an abnormal Pap smear, or any symptoms at all to give the virus to your partner. There is no way to prevent HPV completely unless you avoid human contact entirely, which is unlikely. HPV vaccines can only protect against a few of the 40 types of the STD.
