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Human Papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States; an estimated 14 million persons are newly infected every year. Although most infections cause no symptoms and are self-limited, persistent HPV infection can cause cervical cancer in women as well as other anogenital cancers, oropharyngeal cancer, and genital warts in men and women.

More than 150 HPV types have been identified, and are categorized according to their epidemiologic association with cervical cancer. Essentially all cervical cancers are attributable to high-risk HPV types, and approximately 70 percent of cervical cancer cases worldwide are caused by types 16 and 18. In addition to cervical cancer, HPV infection also is the cause of some other anogenital cancers such as cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus, as well as cancer of the oropharynx.

Three HPV vaccines, bivalent, quadrivalent and nine-valent, are licensed for use in the United States. All three protect against types 16 and 18, which cause 70 percent of cervical cancers. Routine immunization is recommended to start at age 11 or 12 years, and is given in three doses. The series can be started beginning at age 9, and is also recommended for females aged 13 through 26 years and for males aged 13 through 21 years who have not been vaccinated previously or who have not completed the three-dose series. Check with your healthcare provider to determine your eligibility to be immunized and which vaccine is indicated for you.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Gardasil 9 Package Insert

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10/1/2016

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Human Papillomavirus

The HPV Vaccine Saves Lives

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5/16/2016

The Defense Department reccommends male and female military service members, ages 17-26 years, receive an HPV vaccine series to generate a robust immune response to the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4).

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Preventive Health, Immunizations, Men's Health, Human Papillomavirus, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch, Women's Health