Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. There are many different types of HPV (over 100 different kinds of viruses) and more than 30 are sexually transmitted – they can infect the genital areas of males and females. These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat. Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it. It is estimated that as much as 80% of the population is infected with a strain of HPV at some point in their life.
Some types (such as 6 and 11) cause genital warts, others (such as 16 and 18) cause pre-cancerous changes on the cervix that can later lead to cancer of the cervix. In rare cases, the virus can cause other types of cancers to the vulva, vagina, and anus in girls.
If you are sexually active, or thinking about becoming sexually active, your best protection is to learn the facts about how HPV is spread and how to prevent getting it.
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