The main way genital warts are spread is when infected skin comes in contact with non-infected skin. This skin-on-skin contact spreads the virus from one person to the next. It most often happens during sex or foreplay.  You cannot catch HPV from a surface such as a toilet seat or even a door or sink handle.  You also won't get HPV from sharing towels with an infected person. One of the best ways to protect against the spread of genital warts is to use condoms, both the latex and female types. You can find condoms at drug stores or big box stores, and agencies such as Planned Parenthood or county health departments often give out condoms for free. However, condoms won't protect you completely, as genital warts can be on nearby skin, not just the genitals.  Latex and polyurethane condoms have been tested for effectiveness. If you or your partner has a latex allergy, choose a polyurethane condom.  Don't choose novelty condoms. Pick a package that says it is meant to prevent infection or disease, as they are intended to offer protection. Dental dams also provide protection during sex, especially oral sex. Dental dams are basically like a flattened condom; they are a thin sheet of latex originally used in dental work. You use it as a barrier between you and another person's body part.  You may have more trouble finding dental dams. Some Planned Parenthood locations have them, and you can sometimes find them at specialty sex stores. You can also find them online.  If you're desperate, you can cut off the ring at the end of a condom, then slice down one side to produce a flat piece of latex like a dental dam. Girls and boys who are 9 to 26 are eligible to get vaccinated for HPV. Two vaccinations exist, though only one of them is appropriate for men. The vaccines not only protect against genital warts, they also protect against cancers that can develop from the virus.  Ask your healthcare provider about the vaccination for you or your children.  It takes three shots to be fully vaccinated. Being treated for the symptoms can reduce the number of warts you have. Though the virus can be spread even when warts aren't present, reducing the number of warts does reduce your chances of spreading it. Always seek treatment if you suspect an outbreak—even if symptoms are not especially present.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Understand how genital warts are spread. Wear condoms. Use dental dams. Get vaccinated. Seek treatment for the symptoms.


A medical issue, such as a urinary tract infection, may be causing your cat to urinate on the carpet instead of in a litter box. Before you try any other intervention to remedy the situation, you should take your cat to see a veterinarian to treat any medical issues that may be causing the behavior. Getting your cat checked out right away is important to protect the health and well-being of your pet and to prevent a long-lasting litter box aversion. Squatting for long periods of time, blood in the urine, frequent urination and meowing while trying to urinate are all signs that your pet might have a bladder or urinary tract issue or infection. These health problems can cause litter box avoidance. These signs can also indicate a urinary obstruction, which can potentially be life-threatening. Only the veterinarian can tell the difference so it's important to seek veterinary attention. Cleaning up accidents right after they happen will also help deter your cat from using the same spot again. Use an enzymatic cleaner rather than an ammonia based one. Ammonia-based cleaners may cause your cat to urinate more often on the spot because she may interpret the ammonia as another cat’s urine that she must cover up with her own urine.  Consider having your carpets cleaned professionally if they are heavily soiled. Some rugs may be beyond cleaning if the messes were not taken care of right away. Get rid of rugs that have been soiled repeatedly by your cat. If your cat has started going to the bathroom on a rug or carpet, place a litter box over that spot to encourage her to use the box instead. After she has used the box for one month, move it an inch per day until it is back where you want it to be. Cats may develop a preference for a specific rug and begin using it as a bathroom. Turning over rugs and carpet runners may discourage your cat by changing the texture of the surface. Try flipping over your rugs and carpets for a few days to see if that stops your cat from urinating on them. Sticky tape can discourage a cat from urinating on a rug because the sensation of the tape on its paws is unpleasant. Try applying double sided sticky tape to the edges of area rugs as well as over the spot where your cat likes to urinate. Your cat may be urinating on the carpet because she has developed a negative association with using the litter box. Negative associations with the litter box may be improved by doing things like playing with your cat around the litter box. Try playing with your cat a few feet away from her box a few times per day to help her generate more positive feelings about the litter box.  Do not try to reward your cat for using the litter box by giving her treats. Cats don’t like to be disturbed while they use the litter box.  You can leave treats and toys near your cat’s litter box, but do not keep your cat’s food and water dish next to her box. Cats don’t like to eat too close to where they use the bathroom. Encouraging your cat to use the litter box takes time and effort, but it may not always be successful. Some veterinarians undergo special training to help people deal with problems such as urinating outside of the box. If your cat does not improve over time, consider speaking to a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Take your cat to see a veterinarian. Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner. Place a litter box over the spot on the rug where your cat likes to urinate. Flip carpet runners and area rugs upside down. Apply double sided sticky tape to edges of rugs. Play with your cat around her box. Talk to your veterinarian again if things don’t improve.