HPV

What is HPV? (CDC.com)

HPV is a very common virus that can be spread from one person to another person through anal, vaginal, or oral sex, or through other close skin-to-skin touching during sexual activity.

There were about 43 million HPV infections in 2018, many among people in their late teens and early 20s. Nearly all sexually active people who do not get the HPV vaccine get infected with HPV at some point in their lives.

Symptoms:

• The most common symptom is genital warts (These can be large, small, flat or raised)
• HPV can cause cancer in some individuals. These are usually cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis or anus. Throat, tongue and tonsil cancers are also known to occur.

*Most people with HPV will never have any symptoms or health issues but if the HPV does not go away, it can cause serious health problems

Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?

• In the United States, HPV vaccination is recommended for:

  • Everyone through age 26 years

  Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some men age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination.