Human papillomavirus

A strain of papillomavirus that can infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans. Commonly abbreviated as HPV, it is a common virus that can lead to 6 types of cancers later in life.

Incidence

HPV infections are so common that nearly all men and women will get HPV at some point in their lives. Nearly 80 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year. Every year in the United States, HPV is estimated to cause nearly 36,000 cases of cancer in men and women.

Transmission

HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. Some HPV infections can lead to cancer

Signs and symptoms

Most HPV infections (9 out of 10) go away by themselves within 2 years. But sometimes, HPV infections will last longer and can cause certain types of cancers. HPV infections can cause cancers of the:

• cervix, vagina, and vulva in women;
• penis in men; and
• anus and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both women and men.

Prevention

CDC recommends children get two doses of HPV vaccine at ages 11–12 years. HPV vaccination can be started at age 9 years. For HPV vaccine to be most effective, the series should be given before children are ever exposed to the virus.

Human papillomavirus Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia