The answer to the question about whether we can catch HPV from toilet seats is in this article in more detail.
HPV is a group of more than 100 viruses of different types, which may have at least 30 strains that are known to cause different types of cancer in humans.
We catch HPV from Toilet Seats remains a common misconception among many people and continues to do the rounds all the time.
But it is not true! The HPV human papillomavirus cannot be transmitted by using a toilet seat used by someone with HPV.
Simply because the life of the virus is very short, it cannot survive long once it is outside the body.
HPV can be transmitted in the following ways:
Skin-to-skin sexual contact with a partner who has an HPV infection.
Penetration is not necessary to contract HPV.
1- If a healthy person touches the genitals of a partner or a person infected with HPV and then his/her own, it is a potential danger.
2- HPV can be transmitted through various other ways, like vaginal and anal intercourse, oral sex, but you can’t catch HPV from toilet seats.
3- Sharing sex toys with an infected person without first disinfecting them can also be a risky proposition.
4- If a person indulges in it or opposite sex infected with HPV in genital-to-genital contact, he or she is at risk.
Preventive Measures Against HPV
Coming to taking preventive measures against HPV:
Since no penetration is necessary to transmit the virus, prevention of HPV can be ensured to some extent by wearing a condom correctly and every time one has sex.
Condoms provide limited protection because infected parts of the genitals may still be exposed while indulging in sex.
For those who are sexually more active than others, wearing a condom and limiting the number of partners may reduce the risk of sexual transmission.
The HPV vaccine called Gardasil is also considered an effective means to prevent HPV.
That vaccine is also approved for young women aged 9 and 26.
It is supposed to protect against HPV, known to cause cervical cancer in women, and the HPV virus, known to cause genital warts.
Before deciding to take the vaccine, you should consult your doctor.
When And Why Say NO to the HPV Vaccine
HPV symptoms may sometimes take weeks, months, or even years to start showing.
There is also a possibility that symptoms may never appear.
In this case, the HPV finally shows in the form of cauliflower-like warts appearing around or in the genitals (genital warts).
These warts can be flat.
They may grow on both the inside and the outside of a woman’s vagina.
This cauliflower-like growth may take weeks or even years to show up after having sex intercourse with someone who already has the virus.
Prevention of HPV
To find out if the person you are likely to get sexually involved with has an HPV beforehand is not easy.
To prevent oneself from this infection, the only sure-shot solution seems to be to keep away from sexual contact and try to use intimacy wellness products.
Since using a condom is not a 100% solution either, and for sure we can’t catch HPV From Toilet Seats as well.
Then, we have to do some tests to make sure to do the Pap test.
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that can result in cervical cancer or genital warts.
Not only that in certain cases it can also cause other types of cancer.
In June 2006, a vaccine that prevents the spread of the human papillomavirus or HPV, called Gardasil, was given FDA approval.
The main target age group for the vaccine is ages 11 to 12 to age 26.
Who can’t get the HPV Vaccine?
Coming to the target group that should not be taking the vaccination includes;
1- “People who are suffering from a moderate to severe acute illness, like diarrhea or the flu, can not get the HPV Vaccine.”
The doctor may, in all probability, suggest that you wait until you completely recover before taking the HPV vaccine.
Even for other vaccines, doctors first suggest that you to get rid of any illness or infection.
2-You should not go for vaccination if you are temporarily on an immunosuppressive drug like steroids or are undergoing things like asthma treatment, etc.
It is better to wait until the course or the therapy you are undergoing is complete.
3- If you have an allergy or hypersensitivity to yeast or other ingredient present in the vaccine, you should not take the HPV vaccination.
4- “You should also avoid HPV Vaccination if you are pregnant.”
There may not be any evidence to show that HPV vaccination during pregnancy has any effect of the vaccine on the fetus.
But still, whatever the partially true reports and research are available in the medical journals.
However, it’s best to play it safe and not take chances until the baby is born.
After delivering the baby also one should seek a doctor’s advice and suggestions before getting vaccinated.
Maybe be doctor will advise you to wait until you are breastfeeding the baby. There may be a reason that your doctor knows best.
Oral Sex and Throat Cancer and HPV Link: A Report
The news about a study conducted and a report published by certain well-known and well-respected research bodies linking Oral Sex and Throat Cancer, also linked to HPV, is spreading and splashing across the net and doing crazy rounds.
The findings at Johns Hopkins University confirm that oral sex is a risk factor for throat cancer, although the risk may be relatively small.
However, there is a direct HPV spread via oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
They found a link between HPV and Throat Cancer. The study is being published in the latest edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.
They studied and tested by taking 200 healthy people and 100 persons who were diagnosed with throat cancer, and this study found that having multiple vaginal sex partners throughout a lifetime (more than 26 vaginal sex partners) is linked to a higher risk of development of throat cancer.
People who have multiple oral sex partners (count higher than 5) were three times more at risk of developing oral or throat cancer than people who do not have multiple oral sex partners.
Throat cancer is strongly linked with HPV-16 – the same virus strain that is also linked to cervical cancer among women folks.
The study also reported that heavy, chain smoking and consuming alcohol in excess might not increase the risk of throat cancer for people with HPV, even though both are risk factors for throat cancer.
It is worth keeping in mind that people not indulging in smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol are also at risk of developing throat cancer if they indulge in oral sex with multiple partners.
The study, however, does not suggest that one should abstain from oral sex, but practicing safe oral sex and having limited partners can prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases to a great extent.
That study also suggested that oral sex was the main mode of HPV infection being transferred from one person to another other but the researchers also said mouth-to-mouth transmission through kissing could not altogether be ruled out.
Experts and fellow researchers do feel that more studies are required to be done in this area before confirming these findings 100 percent.
To confirm this link between throat and a rare type of cancer, oral cancer more study and detailed research is required to be done.
How Can You Prevent Yourself from Getting Cancer as a Woman
Despite all the research being done, there is no accurate way of determining why cancer affects some people.
But there are certain things a woman can do to prevent herself from becoming a victim of cancer in any type.
If you have a family history of cancer, then be aware of having a higher chance of developing your HPV into a cancer.
If your female relatives have suffered from breast or cervical cancer, or other cancers, then your chances of getting affected are much higher than normal, as cancer can be hereditary.
Speak to your physician about it so that you can get the proper screening done or go in for genetic counseling to find out how much or whether you are at risk.
Watch what you eat. Have a proper diet, cutting out fats that cause obesity, as this can also lead to cancer.
Eat a high-protein, fiber-rich diet. You should also exercise simultaneously for overall health.
If you exercise at least five times a week for half an hour each time, you are reducing the risk factor for cancer.
Skin cancer affects many people who are ignorant about the risk involved.
Stay out of the sun when it is at its hottest and use sunscreen on all areas of the body that will have exposure to the sun.
Give the lotion time to be absorbed by the body and then keep reapplying during the day.
An excess of alcohol can lead to a higher risk of cancer. Limit your alcohol intake or cut it out altogether if you are already susceptible to cancer because of other factors.
Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking does significantly affect you and increases your chance of contracting cancer of any type, especially lung cancer.
Don’t have unprotected sex with multiple partners. This raises the risk factor for cancer, as you can contract the human papillomavirus, which has been linked by researchers to many different types of cancers.
Do have a pap smear regularly, as this helps you prevent cervical cancer.
As a woman, you are susceptible to breast, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and other gynecological cancers.
In addition, if there are other factors, such as smoking, involved, you could be at risk for lung and colon cancer.
So take preventative measures against any kind of cancer by exercising and eating right, and keeping an eye on your lifestyle. Do not have multiple partners at the same time.
Get regular screenings and health check-ups. Prevent the possibility of cancer affecting you.
