This discussion will make a distinction between non-genital and genital infections for the purpose of covering the aspects of prevention.
HPV is transmitted to another area of the body or to another person through the contact by an infected piece of skin with a non-infected piece of skin. The presumption is that the non-infected area has to have a small, perhaps microscopic, break in the skin that allows a tiny amount of tissue from the infected area to get into the non-infected area, allowing an infection to set up.
It is easy to imagine that someone with a wart on a finger might scratch an itch elsewhere on the body and transmit the virus to that area. This is a common way in which warts are spread around on different areas of the same person.
Warts are also contagious, excreting large loads of hpv viral particles. If a person with a wart on a finger were to touch a genital area in a manner vigorous enough to slightly break the skin, this might transmit the virus to that area.
The same thing applies to intimate contact between partners. If a person with a wart anywhere on that person’s body were to place that area in contact with the genitalia of the other person, this could cause the wart virus to be transmitted to the genital area of the partner. This applies to warts on fingers as well as warts on the genitals of the infected partner.
Sadly, most areas of skin that possess hpv infection have no outward signs. Thus, the infection may be transmitted to the uninfected area of a partner without any knowledge of this fact by either partner. This is the manner in which almost all HPV infections are apparently transmitted. So, practically, if partners choose to have direct skin-to-skin contact between genitalia, then it may be impossible to know if HPV virus is being transmitted or not.
Latex condoms are effective in preventing transmission of HPV to partners. The condom must cover potentially infected areas completely. If a partner has no outward signs of infection on an area high on the penis near the scrotum, for example, the partner may in fact spread HPV to a partner even while wearing a condom. Thus, it is reasonable to use latex condoms, but no complete assurance can ever be given that the condom will be completely protective.
Various plastic membranes are available for females now which may be very effective at preventing transmission of most STD’s, not just HPV. Such devices must be of an appropriate size for the female, even perhaps requiring proper fitting by a medical provider such as a gynecologist for maximum protection and comfort. As mentioned above vaccines are not yet available that can provide protection for people who do not yet carry the virus.
Exciting new research is ongoing suggesting that perhaps "chemical condoms" for females, and/or "Intravaginal Release" medications may be very effective in preventing transmission of a broad range of STD’s, including HPV. While no final information is yet available at the time of the posting of this article regarding the potential release date for this material, we have found through our research that exciting trials are beginning in Europe this year. We will continue the regular monitoring of ongoing research to determine when or if such materials or devices will become available.