What is HPV?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. HPV is considered a sexually transmitted disease. It is passed from person to person through genital contact. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Over 50% of people will become infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Some people with HPV develop bump-like warts near or around the genitals. These are called genital warts. Most people with HPV will not have any signs and will not have any health problems because of it.

How do I know if I have HPV?

There are several different types of HPV. Some people have HPV and do not know it because the virus lives in the skin. Other people with HPV have genital warts. Genital warts are caused by two different types of HPV.

Only a doctor can tell you if you have genital warts.

Some females have HPV on their cervix-- the part of the female organs that connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina (birth canal). If you are a sexually active female or are 21 and older, it is important to see your doctor for a Pap test. This test checks for changes on your cervix caused by HPV.

What do genital warts look like?

Genital warts are usually soft, pink or skin-colored bumps that show up in the genital area around the vagina, on the penis or scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). There can be one wart or many small warts at the same time. Genital warts can also show up on the inner thigh or groin. Genital warts can be big or small. They look different for each person.

I heard HPV causes cancer. Is that true?

There are several types of HPV. Two types of HPV cause most of the cases of cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, over 9,700 females will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,700 will die from this cancer in the United States. Most people with HPV do not get cancer.

How many people have HPV?

Both males and females can get HPV. Over 50% of sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives. Every year in the United States, about 6.2 million people get HPV. HPV is most common in young women and men who are in their late teens and early twenties.

Isn't there a shot to protect against HPV?

A vaccine (shots or injections) is available to prevent four types of HPV. The vaccine is recommended for 11-26 year old females, butcanbe given to girls as young as age nine. The vaccine is most effective before a female becomes sexually active. A female getting the vaccine will have to get three shots over six months.

The vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV. The vaccine only prevents females from getting the two types of HPV that cause genital warts and the two types that can lead to cervical cancer. It is still important that females see their doctors regularly for the Pap test.

At this time, the vaccine is not available to males.

Reduce your risk of getting HPV

To lower your chance of getting HPV:

• Choose to not have sex. This is also known as abstinence.
• Keep the number of sex partners you have low.
• Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. But remember, condoms will not always protect you from HPV.
• Talk to your sex partners about their sexual past.
• See your doctor or other healthcare provider for sexual health check-ups.

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/#fact
http://www.fda.gov/default.htm