Papillomavirus
What is HPV?.
HPV is short for the human papillomavirus. It is a virus that is passed from one person to another during sexual contact. There are many different types of HPV, and some can cause health problems, like cancer.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of all sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives.
Most people who get HPV do not know they have it because they do not have any symptoms. HPV can cause a number of problems, including,
-Genital warts.
-Cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, or anus.
-Other cancers, like head and neck cancer.
-Death.
HPV is preventable. There are two ways to prevent HPV,
-The HPV vaccine.
-Good hygiene.
The HPV vaccine is a shot that helps protect against the types of HPV that can cause cancer. It is given to boys and girls at 11 or 12 years old. The HPV vaccine is also recommended for young men and women who are 13 to 26 years old who did not get the vaccine when they were younger.
Good hygiene can also help prevent HPV. This includes washing your hands after you go to the bathroom and before you eat, and avoiding contact with HPV-infected skin.
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