HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus

There are 200+ types of HPV, and you may have already heard of HPV because all warts are caused by HPV.  

HPV is not related to nor should it be confused with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), which causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) but not cancer.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. In the U.S., an estimated 42 million people are infected with disease-causing strains.

HPV is spread through human-to-human contact: direct contact with an HPV-infected body site of another person, whether or not that person has symptoms.

It spreads via direct contact with an infected body surface, not fluid transfer. This means condoms alone cannot fully prevent transmission.

HPV is nearly universal, with models estimating that 84 to 90% of sexually active (to any degree) adults will contract some form of HPV in their lifetime.¹

Certain common types of HPV are known to cause cancer- these are called “high-risk” strains of HPV. 

HPV is estimated to cause 690,000 cancers worldwide. ²

Notably, HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical cancers, a disease that kills 350,000 women every year, and thousands of cases of other serious cancers. ²

Men are not immune to the threat of HPV-related cancers. For example, HPV is driving the increase in throat cancers across the U.S.

There is currently no evidence-based treatment for HPV, meaning prevention through vaccination is so important, evidence-based, and safe.

If you are young and have a healthy immune system, the likelihood that you clear HPV on your own within a year or two is high, but this is not a guarantee. 

Cancer is caused when the virus does not clear from your body and begins to cause mutations in your cells that begin to reproduce uncontrollably. 

Individuals who may already be infected with one (or more) type(s) of HPV will still gain protection against other strains of HPV by being vaccinated. 

There are many types of HPV that can cause cancer and other types that cause genital warts. The vaccine protects against the most common types of both of these varieties

The more partners you have does offer more chances to come into contact with HPV, however HPV is nearly universal, with models estimating that 84 to 90% of sexually active (to any degree) adults will contract some form of HPV in their lifetime. This means that even with a low number of partners, you are still at risk for contracting HPV. 

You may not know the full sexual history and HPV exposure of your partner.

HPV is transmitted via non-penetrative sex, such as oral sex. 

When considering cost vs benefit, the potential cost, both in terms of monetary costs and health impact, of vaccination is much lower than that of HPV infection.