Are you a female who may some day have sex? Then you're in a risk group. HPV is the most ubiquitous sexually transmitted infection, and it's actually unusual for someone NOT to have it in one strain or another. Considering the fact that men almost never show symptoms (unless it's the genital warts variety) and can't be tested for it, there's no way to know if a guy has it or not. In other words, just being sexually active puts you in a "risky group" for HPV.
I've had a pap smear every year, and this last January I found out I have the strain of HPV that causes cervical cancer. I've had a colposcopy and two follow-up paps this year since then, and it's still pre-cancerous. I've had very few partners and have always been monogamous - I am white, middle class, and have a college degree.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-07-18 04:39 pm (UTC)I've had a pap smear every year, and this last January I found out I have the strain of HPV that causes cervical cancer. I've had a colposcopy and two follow-up paps this year since then, and it's still pre-cancerous. I've had very few partners and have always been monogamous - I am white, middle class, and have a college degree.