Yes it can effect you by giving you genital warts that are catchy and spread,,,you can carry the virus and not know it and get it from women who have them inside and can't see them...it can cause cervical cancer is some women
I have had no experience with HPV however HPV is usually non active in males and only affects females. However it can be carried by males and spread by males.
I saw a commercial out there that is about a medication that is for the HP virus. It's not 100% full proof but it is supposed to prevent 70% of problems related to cancer and cell changes. So there is still a 30% chance of having problems. But it seems like they are coming up with something that should be promising.
There are MANY types of HPV. My gf has some mild form and I too have it, who knows who had it first. Anyways as what everyone else said, males can be a carrier and it USUALLY doesn't effect males but rarely it does. Some types of HPV can be treated and done away with but it takes effort from both partners and a little while w/ no sex w/ medication.