MEN have been given advice on how to manage living with the human papillomavirus.

The virus, commonly known as HPV, can be carried by both men and women, however, it tends not to cause any symptoms allowing it to go largely unnoticed.

As previously reported by the Glasgow Times, changes to the tests carried out after a woman or person with a cervix has a smear test now show the presence of high-risk HPV instead of abnormal cell changes as it previously had done.

The changes were designed to ensure swifter action could be taken to prevent cervical cancer from developing.

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However, there are currently no tests designed to confirm if a man is carrying HPV meaning it can be passed on to female partners without their knowledge.

The virus’s ability to go incognito has caused concerns among men who are worried about negatively impacting both their own health and that of their partner.

It’s thought that the virus will pass on its own in around nine out of 10 cases without developing into any further issues, although it is the most common cause of cervical cancer in women and not has been linked to other forms of the disease which can affect men.

Some head, neck, penile and anal cancers can be caused as a result of the virus, however, the chances of being diagnosed with such a disease are around 2%.

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Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which campaigns for more awareness surrounding the disease, said men do contact the charity in a bid for more information on the dangers of HPV.

However, it insists the virus is not an issue for men to worry about and any unusual symptoms – such as pain, bleeding, discharge or pain – to seek medical advice from their GP.

In terms of day-to-day life with female partners, the charity says men don’t have to adapt their daily routine.

Paula de Souza, a helpline advisor for the charity, said: “The general advice is no, you do not need to do anything differently if you or your partner have HPV. This means you don’t need to tell anyone unless you want to, and you can continue your life as normal.

“We know that using barrier methods of contraception such as condoms, and dental dams, can reduce the risk of passing on HPV but it doesn’t eliminate the risk completely. This is because HPV lives on the skin in the genital area, and condoms don’t cover the whole area.

“If you are a trans-man or you identify as non-binary and you have a cervix, you cannot ask to be tested for HPV just because your partner has it. You are entitled to have regular cervical screening though from the age of 25 onwards, the intervals between your screenings will depend on your age and which country in the UK you live in.”

The best form of defence against the virus is for secondary-school aged boys to have the HPV vaccines when it's offered.