There are some stark differences between HPV in black women and HPV in white women. For starters, black women are far less likely to get vaccinated than their white counterparts. If they do receive the vaccine, most black women do not complete the full set of vaccines that are typically given in 2 or 3 doses.
When considering these facts, no matter if you have HPV or not, you have to continue to take steps to help protect yourself and anyone with whom you have intimate contact with.
Here are 5 steps to reducing the risk of infecting your partner:
1. Get Vaccinated and Encourage Your Partner to Get Vaccinated
All people, female or male, ages 9 to 45 can get the HPV vaccine to protect against
genital warts or different types of HPV that can cause cancer. It’s recommended that children get the vaccine at age 11 or 12, so they’re fully protected years before they become sexually active.
Each dose of the vaccine can cost about $250. Luckily, many health insurance companies cover the HPV vaccine. There are also programs that help some people without insurance get the vaccine for low or no cost.
2. Use Condoms When Having Sex
Though condoms and dental dams are not as effective against HPV as they are against other STDs, like chlamydia and HIV, safe sex can lower your chances of getting HPV. Use condoms or dental dams every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
3. Get Regular Medical & Dental Checkups
The HPV test should be done every five years along with a Pap test in women ages 30-65. It should also be done
every five years in younger women with inconclusive Pap tests. HPV-positive head and neck cancers typically develop in the throat at the back of the tongue and near or in the folds of the tonsils, which makes them difficult to detect. Regular dental check-ups that include an examination of the entire head and neck can be vital in detecting cancer early.
4. Learn to Identify HPV Symptoms
Many people with HPV don’t develop any symptoms but can still infect others through sexual contact. Symptoms may include warts on the genitals or surrounding skin.
-Genital warts: These appear as flat lesions, small cauliflower-like bumps or tiny stem-like protrusions. In women, genital warts appear mostly on the vulva but can also occur near the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina.
In men, genital warts appear on the
penis and scrotum or around the anus. Genital warts rarely cause discomfort or pain, though they may itch.
-Common warts: Common warts appear as rough, raised bumps and usually occur on the hands, fingers or elbows. In most cases, common warts are simply unsightly, but they can also be painful or susceptible to injury or bleeding.
-Plantar warts: Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that usually appear on the heels or balls of your feet. These warts might cause discomfort.
-Flat warts: Flat warts are flat-topped, slightly raised lesions darker than your skin. They can appear anywhere, but children usually get them on the face and men tend to get them in the beard area. Women tend to get them on the legs.
5. Practice Good Genital Hygiene
Make sure to change out tampons and pads on time. Keep your genitals clean and always
wear new underwear after each wash. Never reuse condoms. Make sure to keep your hands clean and never engage in unprotected sexual activities if you knowingly have active HPV and symptoms.
These are all very important in many ways and are also significant ways to reduce your risk of either contracting or spreading HPV to other areas of your body or to other people.
Although we can continuously advocate for more use of protection against HPV, there is currently no cure for the virus and no screening tests for detecting HPV infection in men. However, make sure to keep aware of signs of symptoms with yourself and partner including redness, irritation, sores that don’t heal, abnormal bleeding, itching, pain, and lumps.
If you experience any of these symptoms on your hands, genital, anal, mouth or throat regions, see a doctor as soon as possible to get it checked out.
For more information on STDs, visit our Health Conditions page on BlackDoctor.org.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
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