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
IF
YOU ARE A WOMAN
It’s important to know about the
link between genital HPV and
cervical cancer and about the
steps you can take to prevent this
disease. Cervical cancer can be
prevented with regular Pap tests
and follow-up. Pap tests can find
problems in the cervix that are
caused by HPV.
IF YOU ARE A MAN
It’s important to know that you
can have genital HPV—and pass
it to your partner—even if you
have no symptoms. Some types
of HPV can lead to cancer of the
anus and penis, but these cancers
are rare in healthy men.
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.
IF YOU ARE A WOMAN
You should get regular Pap tests to
check for changes in your cervix.
The Pap test is the best way to
screen for cervical cancer. Changes
that are caught early can be treated
before they lead to cancer.
If you are 30 or over, or if the result
of your Pap test is unclear, a doctor
may also give you an HPV test. This test can help the doctor decide
what other tests or treatment you
should have.
IF YOU ARE A MAN
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has not
approved a test for HPV in men.
See your doctor if you have
genital warts.
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.
A message for everyone
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.
Most people who have sex will have HPV at some time in their lives. It
usually goes away on its own without causing any health problems.
If
you’re a woman, it’s very important to have regular Pap tests
to check
for problems that could develop into cervical cancer. Most women who
get cervical cancer have not had regular Pap tests.
There is no blame, no shame about having genital HPV. The virus
is very
common.
If you have HPV, don’t blame your current partner or assume your
partner is cheating. People can have genital HPV for a very long time
before it’s detected. Talk openly and honestly with your partner about
HPV and other STDs.