Human papillomavirus, known as HPV, is a common family of viruses that causes cancer. In this blog, we’ll explain what causes HPV, how it’s spread, and how to prevent the infection.
HPV is a common virus.
About 79 million Americans are infected with HPV, with roughly 14 million men and women becoming newly infected each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is so common that most American men and women will contract at least one type of HPV during their lifetime.
HPV causes cancer.
HPV is the cause of almost all cervical cancer in women and the majority (70%) of oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the throat, tongue, or tonsils) in both men and women in the United States. It can also cause cancer of the penis, anus, vulva, and vagina, and can also cause genital warts.
About 92 people are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV in the U.S every day. These patients and families face the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, the challenges of cancer treatment and the possibility of death.
HPV spreads very easily.
HPV is a common viral infection that spreads easily. Most people have HPV at some point in their lives. It is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, primarily through sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Even someone who waits until marriage for sex and only has one partner can still get HPV.
There are more than 150 types of HPV. Several types of HPV can infect your genital area — your vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, as well as your tongue, tonsils, and throat. There, some types of HPV can cause cancer; other types can cause warts. Often, there are no visible signs or symptoms of HPV, so it is possible to have HPV and not know it, unknowingly spreading HPV to another person.
HPV and its cancers can be prevented.
Most HPV infections go away on their own. However, some infections don’t go away, putting the person at risk for serious complications, including cancer.
While there is screening for cervical cancer, there are no routine screening tests for the other types of HPV cancers, so they often aren’t detected until they cause health problems.
HPV vaccination can protect your child from getting HPV and the cancers it can cause. The vaccine is recommended for boys and girls ages 11 or 12 years, but can be started at 9 years of age, and given to men and women through age 45, if not vaccinated already.
Two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended, 6 to 12 months apart, for teens less than 15 years of age. If the vaccine is started at age 15 or later, then the HPV vaccines are given in a series of 3 shots over a six-month period. For the best protection, it is important for your child to get all the doses recommended for their age.
The vaccine is most effective if given before a person becomes sexually active. Studies show that kids who complete two doses of HPV vaccines by age 14 have much lower rates of cervical pre-cancer and genital warts than those who are vaccinated after that age. Additionally, preteens make more antibodies from the vaccine, giving them better protection.
Vaccinating your child can keep them healthy into adulthood and is the best way to prevent cancers caused by HPV later in life. The vaccine is safe, effective, and long-lasting.
In West Virginia, teens can receive vaccines at their healthcare providers’ office, a community health center, the local health department, pharmacies, and most school-based health clinics.
Most health insurance plans cover HPV vaccination. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program also provides vaccines for children 18 years and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, or Alaska Native.
Talk with a healthcare provider to find out what vaccines are recommended for your teen. For more information about vaccines, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents.