A new study shows that one does not have to have sex to contract human papillomavirus.

The study which included women and teenagers showed that 11.6% of those who had never had sex had been infected by a strain of HPV.

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease which can be be passed on through vaginal or anal intercourse. However it can be contracted through hand-to-genital or genital-to-genital transmission which is how virgins may have gotten it.

Also found was that out of the 40 strains of HPV more than a dozen could lead to cervical cancer.

For a while there has been a school of thought which has advocated for early vaccination against HPV – around 11 or 12 years of age.

So girls, since you can get HPV even without sexual intercourse,  HPV vaccination at a young age is recommended. In fact, just go and get yourself checked.