THE FACTS

• Genital human papillomavirus (/pap pil LO ma VY rus/)(HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. At least 50% of sexually active people will have genital HPV at some time in their lives.
• Most people who have genital HPV don’t know they have it. There are often no symptoms, and it goes away on its own—without causing any serious health problems.
• HPV is passed on through genital contact (such as vaginal and anal sex). You can pass HPV to others without knowing it.
• There is no cure for HPV, but there are treatments for the health problems that some types of HPV can cause, like genital warts and cervical cancer.

 HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK FOR HPV?

• The surest way to prevent HPV is not to have sex.
• If you decide to be sexually active, limit the number of partners you have. The fewer sex partners you have, the less likely you will be to get HPV.
• Condoms may lower chances of getting HPV, genital warts, or cervical cancer if used the right way every time you have sex. However, HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom—so you should not expect condoms to fully protect against HPV.
• Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent any sexually transmitted disease.

 How does someone get HPV?

Anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person can have genital HPV. Both men and women can get it - and pass it on - without even realizing it.

 What are the health effects of HPV?

Genital HPV does not cause health problems for most people.

There are many types of HPV. All HPV infections are either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk HPV infections can cause genital warts. The warts are usually painless and not a serious problem. They can be flat or raised, single or in groups, and small or large. Without treatment, the warts may grow in size and number, or they may go away on their own.

Women with HPV might have warts on the vagina, vulva, or cervix. Men with HPV might have warts on the penis, scrotum, or groin. Both men and women can have genital warts on the anus or thigh.

High-risk HPV infections can sometimes develop into cancer of the cervix (the opening of the womb). These infections may also lead to other cancers, such as anal cancer. In some people, high-risk HPV infections can persist and cause cell changes. If these cell changes are not treated, they may lead to cancer over time.

It is only persistent HPV infections (the kind that don’t go away for years) that put people at risk for cancer. The types of HPV that can cause cancer are not the same as the types that can cause genital warts.

 More important information about HPV

Does having HPV mean I'll get cancer?

No. Most types of HPV infection don't lead to cancer. Women can protect themselves from cervical cancer by getting regular Pap tests and by getting treated early for any problems that could turn into cancer.

Do I need to know if I have HPV?

There is no reason to be tested just to find out if you have genital HPV. Most people will have genital HPV at some time in their lives. Usually the infection goes away on its own. However, it is very important for women to get screened for cervical cancer that is caused by genital HPV.

 Can HPV be treated?

• There is no treatment for genital HPV itself. Most of the time, though, your body fights off the virus on its own
• There are treatments for the health problems that genital HPV can cause, like genital warts, cervical changes, and cervical cancer.
• Even after genital warts are treated, the virus may remain in the body. This means that you may still pass HPV to your sex partners.

What about a vaccine?

The FDA has approved a vaccine that protects against four types of HPV. Together, these four types of HPV cause 7 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer and 9 out of 10 cases of genital warts.

Experts on vaccines have recommended that all girls should get the vaccine when they are 11 or 12 years old. Girls and women between 13 and 26 years old can also benefit from the vaccine.

The vaccine is most effective in girls and women who have not been infected with any of the four types of HPV that the vaccine protects against. This is the reason the experts recommend that it be given to young girls before they become sexually active.

Girls and women who are sexually active may get less benefit from the vaccine because they may already be infected with one or more of the four types of HPV.

The vaccine is not approved for women older than 26. Studies are being done to find out if it is safe and effective for women in that age group. Other studies are being done to fi nd out if the vaccine is safe and effective for boys and men.