If you enjoy unprotected sex, let me bring your attention to the Human Papillomavirus or HPV. This bug is quite different from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). HPV is so common that nearly ALL SEXUALLY ACTIVE individuals get it at some point in their lifetime. An infected partner can spread the virus through various forms of sexual intercourse; whether one engages in oral sex, anal sex, or even touching of the genitals. Furthermore, it is hard to track the first exposure to HPV because symptoms can develop years after a person has been exposed to the virus by an infected partner.
There are 109 known strains of HPV, and some strains can manifest into health problems including genital warts and cancers. Genital warts appear as tiny bumps or a cluster of bumps around the affected area. These warts ranges in size and can be raised, flat, or shape like a cauliflower. In addition to genital warts, HPV can lead to many cancer types in the penis, anus, back of the throat, and the base of the tongue and tonsils.
Source: Heard County Parks & Recreation website
Latest data collected from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 45 percent of U.S men aged up to 60 had some HPV strain, while 25 percent had the cancer-causing strains in 2013 and 2014. Also, about 4 percent of all adults had an oral infection with a cancer-causing strain of HPV. with men having a higher prevalence of oral HPV than women. Interestingly, some experts speculate 70 percent of all head and neck cancers are caused by exposure to HPV, likely to be spread by oral sex.
With, it is critical to educate ourselves more about HPV and the results of it if left untreated. On a positive note, there are two FDA approved HPV vaccines, Carvarix and Gardasil, available in the market. Please contact your nearest healthcare provider for more information.
If you want to get more information about these stats, please check out this article from NBC News and CDC website. Stay safe you guys!
