The Next Best Thing to an HPV Cure: Protecting Yourself
The
HPV virus can infect male and female genital areas that are covered by a condom, as well as areas not covered by the condom. Using condoms may reduce the risk of getting
genital warts and
cervical cancer, but they may not completely protect you from HPV itself. The best way to protect yourself from HPV is to not have sex or to only have sex with one uninfected partner who also only has sex with you (i.e., a mutually monogamous relationship).
An HPV vaccine is available, sold under the brand name
Gardasil®. The recommended age for vaccination is between 11 and 12, although it can be given to girls as young as 9 years of age. "Catch-up" HPV vaccinations are recommended for girls and women ages 13 to 26 because this vaccine was not available when they were 11 to 12.
The HPV vaccine is given as a three-shot series. The second and third doses should be administered two and six months, respectively, after the first dose.
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