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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Genital skin concerns > HPV risk
Posted on: 09/16/2008
Question
I am 24 years old and was recently told that I am positive for both low and high risk HPV virus. I am really worried that I may get genital warts or cancer. What are my chances that the virus will develop into one or both of these? And if I have no signs of warts is oral sex okay?
Answer
Without knowing your exact situation, it would be hard to state exact figures as to your risk of cancer, but it would be very low risk. Your best defense against this is to have regular annual Pap smears with your doctor--more often if these results are abnormal. These exams can also look for visible genital warts. If you get regular follow-up and treatment, this does not mean you cannot have oral sex. If you have female partners, they should also have regular exams. If you have male partners, they should have regular exams to look for genital warts on the skin around genital and perianal areas.