Genital warts - Prevention
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) usually contracted by having oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who is infected. The only effective way to prevent genital warts is to not have sex. However, if you are sexually active, using a condom every time you have sex can significantly reduce your risk of contracting HPV. If your sexual partner has warts that can be seen in the genital area, you should avoid any skin-to-skin and sexual contact until the warts are treated.
In June 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine called Gardasil, which is believed to be highly effective in preventing persistent infection with HPV types 16 and 18, which are two "high-risk" HPVs that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers, and types 6 and 11, which cause 90 percent of genital warts.
The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination for girls age 11 and 12, as well as girls and women ages 13 to 26 if they haven't received the vaccine already. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active.
Gardasil has not been proven to provide complete protection against persistent infection with other HPV types, some of which also can cause cervical cancer. Therefore, about 30 percent of cervical cancers and 10 percent of genital warts will not be prevented by the vaccine. In addition,
Unfortunately, many people who show no symptoms don't know that they can spread the virus to their partners.