my boyfriend has HPV and i was wondering can i get it if his penis just touches me without a condom on? does anyone know? does it have to be fluids exchanged or what? we always use a condom for sex.

Allie, if he has HPV then you need to continue to use protection every time, whether there is intercourse taking place or not. Also, I would strongly suggest getting the Gardisil vaccine. Keep in mind that it takes around 6 months for the vaccine to become effective in your system, and that it only protects you from the strains of the virus that are most likely to cause cancer, so you could still get a form of HPV that could result in genital warts (ick!). If he has any warts, any contact with them can transmit the infection, and I would strongly suggest that you not allow his penis to touch you if it's not rubbered, whether he has visible warts or not. Talk to your doctor or health care provider for more information, but do take this seriously and be careful. Your health and safety are extremely important, and you need to be responsible and take care of yourself in order to enjoy your life and sexuality to its full potential.

thanks so much thats kinda what i figured. also i have an appointment to get the first installment of the gardicil vaccine in a couple weeks, but thanks

Allie, I also have HPV. Like many, many, many women I know. (And probably men, but they just don't talk about it.) Back when I was in college, in the late-80s, they told us about clamydia and herpes and gonorrea and crabs and, of course, HIV. I never, ever heard anything about HPV. I've never had any warts or any other visible sign, but now I deal with abnormal pap smears on a regular basis, followed by a colposcopy, then another bad pap, colposcopy, bad pap, colposcopy, etc. From what I understand, the type of HPV I have is not one of the high cancer risks but it still causes all the abnormal paps/colposcopy/etc. My cousin was just diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 35. She's going to be fine; they got it all out. Anyway, all this is to say...get the vaccine and please try to *not* contract HPV!

Please do your own research on the benefits of getting the vaccine to the risks it poses. Most vaccines have biased testing and do not always tell you the truth behind the "adverse reactions" that they can cause. Most of the time the vaccines are tested on minimal subjects and do not follow them for long, in which adverse events can happen many years down the road.

Definately use condoms both male and female if you want to double protect and don't forget oral too. But just do your own research as the medical community doesn't always make sure the patients are fully informed.

Just my 2cents.

I agree with Michie when she suggests that you arm yourself with knowledge before deciding to go with the vaccine. Also, don't let the vaccine lure you into a state of false security. That would be my worry.

I know it's a pain since I had a bf a couple of years ago who had genital herpes. Even with Valtrex, there's no guarantee that you will be safe. Same may be true for this new vaccine.

There's simply no good substitute for vigilance. My advice--take precautions, as Michie and others have suggested, and go for an annual pap.

One more thing about the vaccine that is not widely publicised is that since HPV is a viral infection, the vaccine will only be effective in preventing infection until the virus mutates. Since many viruses mutate rapidly, there is no guarantee that the vaccination you receive soon will be effective against the strains of HPV that are the cancer-causing ones in a few years. Like everyone else has said, be extremely careful, and look at all of your options objectively before engaging in any behaviour that might endanger your health.

By the age of 50, 80% of women will have HPV in one strain or another. You can use condoms, and still get HPV because it is spread by skin to skin contact. If he touches himself and then touches you...that's all it would take.

This is why yearly Well Woman Exams are most important.

Ask lots of questions. Do lots of research.