<P> Genital warts are the only visible sign of low - risk genital HPV and can be identified with a visual check . These visible growths, however, are the result of non-carcinogenic HPV types . Five percent acetic acid (vinegar) is used to identify both warts and squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (SIL) lesions with limited success by causing abnormal tissue to appear white, but most doctors have found this technique helpful only in moist areas, such as the female genital tract . At this time, HPV tests for males are used only in research . </P> <P> Research into testing for HPV by antibody presence has been done . The approach is looking for an immune response in blood, which would contain antibodies for HPV if the patient is HPV positive . The reliability of such tests hasn't been proven, as there hasn't been a FDA approved product as of March 2014; testing by blood would be a less invasive test for screening purposes . </P> <P> The HPV vaccines can prevent the most common types of infection . To be effective they must be used before an infection occurs and are therefore recommended between the ages of nine and thirteen . Cervical cancer screening, such as with the Papanicolaou test (pap) or looking at the cervix after using acetic acid, can detect early cancer or abnormal cells that may develop into cancer . This allows for early treatment which results in better outcomes . Screening has reduced both the number and deaths from cervical cancer in the developed world . Warts can be removed by freezing . </P> <P> Methods of reducing the chances of infection include sexual abstinence, condoms, and vaccination . </P>

Where in the lining of the genital tract is a common place for the human papilloma virus (hpv)