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While Michael Douglas may have been slightly off on his revelation that he contracted throat cancer after giving oral sex, in a way, he wasn’t way off. Douglas was alluding to theories that he may have contracted human papilloma virus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. There are 40 different strands of the virus that affect males and females in the genital area and/or mouth and throat. In most cases, the virus goes unnoticed, without symptoms and will go away on its own. In some cases, however, HPV has been known to cause serious health issues including genital warts, certain types of cancers and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare condition in which warts grow in the throat.

* HPV can be contracted through any person who has had or is having sex
Sexual contact is considered both oral and genital

* HPV is contracted by sexually active men and women at some point in their lives

* HPV can be contracted from people who only have sex with one person in their lifetime

* Multiple partners increases your chance of contracting the virus

* A person can still have HPV even if years have passed since he or she has had sexual contact with an infected person

* It is also possible to get more than one type of HPV

* All sexual orientations are at risk of contracting HPV

Currently, there is only one test for women over the age of 30 to test for the virus. There is no general HPV test for men or women to check one’s overall “HPV status.”

There are HPV vaccines available for children (boys and girls) that prevent the strands that most likely lead to disease and cancer.

For girls and women (women who have not received an earlier vaccine) there are two vaccines available: Cervarix and Gardasil. Both vaccines help protect against types of HPV that cause cervical cancers. In addition to protecting women from contracting cervical, anal, vaginal, and vulvar cancers, Gardasil also prevents genital warts.

For boys and men (men who have not received an earlier vaccine), the vaccine Gardasil can help protect against most genital warts and cancers associated with HPV.

Condoms do not fully prevent HPV contraction, as HPV can affect areas that are not covered by a condom.

Limiting the number of sexual partners can also significantly reduce your risk of contraction. It is important to note that even a lifetime faithful partner can contract and spread the virus.

For more information, test centers and information on STDs, please visit the Center for Disease Control’s website: www.cdc.gov