One of my family members recently found out she has hpv and she uses a wash rag for her body and vagina when she showers with her daughter and uses the same rag on her daughter. Can her 5 year old daughter contract hpv that way? also recently this family member licked all over my sons ice cream from keeping it from melting and handed it over to my son at this time my 5 year old sons lips were chapped and he had 2 small open cuts as well, could he contract hpv that way ?
Hello, thank you for using Chat Doctor. I read your query and understand. An HPV infection is caused by human papillomavirus, a virus from the papillomavirus family, of which over 170 types are known. More than 40 types are transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anus and genitals. Risk factors for persistent HPV infections include early age of first sexual intercourse, multiple partners, smoking, and poor immune function.HPV is typically spread by sustained direct skin-to-skin contact with vaginal and anal sex being the most common methods. Occasionally, it can spread from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. It does not spread via common items like toilet seats.  It is not found in saliva so is not transmitted by licking.  Hope my answer was helpful. Best Regards.