What is HPV?


Human papillomavirus (more commly known as HPV) is the name of a group of viruses that include more than 100 different strains or types, at least 40 of which are sexually transmitted. They can infect the genital areas of both women and men, including the skin of the vulva (area outside of the vagina), penis, or anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, or rectum. Genital HPV infections are very common in sexually active individuals. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired one or more HPV types. About 6.2 million Americans get a new HPV infection each year. Most HPV infections go away on their own without any specific treatment. Some HPV types are called "high-risk" types, because they have the potential to cause cervical cancer. Other types are called "low-risk" HPV types, and they may cause mild Pap test abnormalities or genital warts.

For additional information on HPV, please visit the following websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm

http://www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_learn.cfm

http://www.asccp.org/pdfs/patient_edu/women_should_know.pdf