Week 36-Does saliva carry HPV (human papilloma virus)?
May 1st, 2009STDs (sexually transmitted diseases/infections) spread in two ways:
- through bodily fluids ( semen, vaginal secretions, blood, pre-cum) These fluids are passed from partner to partner during vaginal, oral or anal sex.
- through skin–to-skin contact. (Genital HPV can spread by rubbing against an infected partner skin-to-skin or by touching an infected person’s genitals, then touching yourself. )
Saliva itself does not transmit HPV but, skin-to-skin contact can. LIPS ARE SKIN!
Activities you do on your own, such as masturbate, do not transmit STDs.
Some HPV facts:
- There are more than a hundred types of HPV – about 40 types can infect your genitals – vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, anus, or rectum.
- Genital HPV is quite common – about 50% of men and 75% of women have HPV at some time in their lived– most people are unaware.
- Although most HPV infections go away within 6-8 months – some do not. HPV can lay dormant for several years, making it impossible/difficult to know when you were infected and to whom you may have passed the infection.
- Some types of HPV are “high risk” types and can result in cervical cancer or other genital cancers.
Use condoms! Get Yourself Tested! Kiss Often! Kiss A Lot!
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.
Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org
it is good to know that at least the HPV Vaccine can prevent most cases of Cervical Cancer.