What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time HPV has no symptoms, so people do not know they have it. There are many different strains or types of HPV. Some types can cause cervical cancer in women and can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts in both males and females.

Often, HPV goes away on its own without treatment and does not cause health problems. Experts do not know why HPV goes away in some cases, but not in others.

How common is HPV?

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with about 20 million people currently infected. Every year in the U.S., about 6.2 million people get a new HPV infection. HPV is most common in young people who are in their late teens and early 20s.

How common is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a serious health problem in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009 about 11,270 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 4,070 died from it in the U.S.

What is the HPV vaccine and who should get it?

There are two different HPV vaccines. Both of them are given in three shots over a six-month period.

• The Gardasil® HPV vaccine targets types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. This vaccine is recommended for girls ages 9 to 26 years. Boys ages 9 to 26 years may also get this vaccine to prevent genital warts.
• The Cervarix® HPV vaccine targets types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer. Since this vaccine does not offer protection against genital warts, it is only licensed for women ages 10-25 years.

Ideally, you should get this vaccine before your first sexual contact when you could be exposed to HPV. This is because the vaccine prevents disease. It does not work as well for those who were exposed to the virus before getting the vaccine.

Is the HPV vaccine effective?

Yes. This vaccine targets types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. This vaccine is highly effective in preventing these types of HPV in those who have not been previously exposed to them. The vaccine will not treat existing diseases or conditions caused by HPV.

Is the HPV vaccine safe?

The vaccine has been licensed as safe. Before it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the vaccine was studied in thousands in the U.S. and around the world. These studies have shown no serious side effects. Over 26 million people in the U.S. have received the vaccine. The most common side effect is soreness where the shot is given (in the arm). To learn more about the safety profile of the HPV vaccine, visit the CDC’s Reports of Health Concerns Following HPV vaccination.

Are there other ways, besides the vaccine, to prevent HPV?

The surest way to prevent genital HPV is to avoid sexual contact. For persons who are sexually active, condoms may lower their chances of getting HPV, if used all the time and the right way. Condoms may lower a person’s chances of developing genital warts and cervical cancer. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom – so condoms do not offer full protection against HPV.

What if you don’t get all 3 doses of the vaccine? Does this mean you won’t be fully protected?

The HPV vaccine is recommended as a 3-dose vaccine. It is not yet known how much protection you would get if you receive only one or two doses of the vaccine. For this reason, it is very important that you get all three doses of the vaccine.

Will the girls/women who have been vaccinated still need a Pap test, also called “cervical cancer screening”?

Yes, they will still need to see their health care provider for a Pap test. Regular Pap tests are recommended for all women starting when a girl/woman begins sexual activity or at age 21, whichever comes first. The vaccine will not provide protection against all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, so women will still be at risk for some cancers.

Why is the vaccine only recommended for ages 9 through 26 years old?

The vaccine has been widely tested in 9 through 26 year old females and males. But research on how well the vaccine works in older adults has just recently begun. The FDA may consider licensing the vaccine for older adults when there is research to show it is safe and effective for them.