HPV: The virus your condoms cant protect you from.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is gradually becoming a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes). There are many different types of HPV. Some types cause health problems including genital warts and cancers.

How is HPV spread?

You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms.

Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected, making it hard to know when you first became infected. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.

There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause:

Genital warts: If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.
Cervical precancer can be treated. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment.

People with weak immune systems may be less able to fight off HPV.

You can use latex condoms to prevent spread but this is only about 60% secure. However it lowers the risk. HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom such as the anus and scrotum.

So how do you avoid this trouble? In an ideal world abstinence would be key, but for sexually active men and women that's unrealistic.

That's where vaccines come in. HPV vaccines are safe and effective. They can protect males and females against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups. HPV vaccines are given in three shots over six months; it is important to get all three doses.

Another means would be being in a mutually monogamous relationship – or have sex with someone who only has sex with you, but you already know "these h**s aint loyal"