Human papillomavirus (pah-pil-loma virus), also called HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. In the U.S., about 12,000 women per year get cervical cancer and about 4,000 deaths occur each year. During January, National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, understanding this STI can help save lives as well as prevent other non-life-threatening conditions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another six million people become newly infected each year. There are over 40 different types of HPV that can infect the genital areas of both males and females. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives.
Some types of HPV can cause genital warts, cancers and other health problems even when an infected partner has no symptoms. There is no way to know if a person who gets HPV will go on to develop cancer or other health problems.
Most people with HPV usually have no symptoms or health problems from it and pass the virus on to a partner without knowing they have done so. In 90 percent of cases, the immune system clears HPV naturally within two years. Signs and symptoms of
HPV-related problems include the following:
Aca,!Ac Genital warts: A small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower.
Aca,!Ac Cervical cancer: Usually there are no symptoms until abnormal bleeding occurs at an advanced stage.
Other health problems related to HPV include cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and head and neck. They might not have signs until they are advanced and hard to treat.
People can lower their chances of getting HPV by using condoms, limiting their number of sex partners or practicing abstinence. They can take the HPV vaccine as recommended by the CDC.
The vaccine works by preventing the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It is given as three shots. The vaccines work best when given before becoming sexually active.
Two vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil are available as protection against certain types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer and genital warts. In October 2009, the Cervarix vaccine was approved for women 10 to 25 years of age. It protects against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. The Gardasil vaccine protects against the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It is available to males and females, 9 to 26 years of age.
The HPV vaccines have been made available by the Army for Soldiers and family members. Contact your local healthcare provider to find out which vaccine may be the right choice for you and/or your family members. Because the vaccine does not prevent all types of cervical cancer or other sexually transmitted diseases, women should continue to get routine screenings for cervical cancer by getting the Pap test (also called Pap smear) and the HPV test.
Protect yourself and your family. Learn more about the HPV vaccine. More information about HPV, cervical cancer and the vaccines is available from the following Web sites:
- http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
- http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine.html
- http://www.vaccines.mil/default.aspx'cnt=disease/minidv&dID=58
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