One medical myth is that once individuals have had sex, they will automatically have an HPV infection. The median number of sexual partners that an individual must have to reach the 50% infection mark for a particular HPV type is four to five. If young male patients are given this information, they will likely think, “I could have four partners, and I'll be safe.” Of course, that conclusion is erroneous. One's personal risk is determined by one's choice of a sexual partner. For specific populations, it takes more exposures on average to reach the 50% infection rate. That myth about four to five sexual partners is important in the discussion regarding the design of studies, particularly regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria, by Susan L. Hendrix, DO, in this supplement.
In most cases, sexual contact with an infected partner is necessary for transmission.
11 Men are implicated as the “vectors,” or “carriers.”
15 The incubation period for genital warts ranges from 3 weeks to several months, whereas it may take decades for development of cervical cancer.
15,16 The source contact often has subclinical infection and is asymptomatic.
Once individuals become sexually active, the incidence of HPV infection increases. In a study looking at a collegeaged population, it was found that once sexual activity was initiated—even without intromissive intercourse—the incidence of infection increased over time.
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