Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. It can be spread through sexual intercourse or other types of sexual contact. Between thirty percent and seventy percent of women will acquire an HPV infection within one year following their first vaginal intercourse.

Most genital HPV infections are temporary and cause no symptoms, so they typically go undiagnosed. Abstaining from sexual activity completely is the surest way to prevent infection.

There are over 100 strains of HPV, broadly categorized into two groups: low risk and high risk. Seventy percent of HPV goes away within 1 year. Ninety percent goes away within 2 years.

How Does HPV Cause Cervical Cancer?

Persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical cancer. Persistent infection of the cervical cells with HPV can result in a gradual series of abnormal changes. These changes may either go away or progress to cancer.

What Are Precancerous Changes?

Your doctor may tell you that you have precancerous changes to the cells on your cervix (or call it cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). The cell changes are classified as high grade and low grade. (High grade = a large amount of cell changes. Low grade = a small amount of cell changes).

Most of the time, precancerous changes, both high and low grade, do not require treatment and go away on their own. But because these changes could progress into cervical cancer, they will be closely monitored by your doctor.

Can Condoms Help Prevent HPV?

A condom cannot completely prevent HPV infection. Although studies have shown that using a condom may reduce the risk of spreading HPV, the virus can still be transmitted.

What Are The Symptoms Of HPV?

An HPV infection usually doesn’t have any symptoms. That’s why so few women know they’ve been infected. In addition, the virus is often spread by those who have no idea they’re carrying the virus.

Regular Pap testing is the most effective way to determine if you have a high-risk infection of HPV that may be causing changes in your cervix.

What Is The HPV Vaccine?

HPV, the Human Papillomavirus, can cause cervical and vulvar cancers, and is a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sexual activity. Early vaccination is one measure to help prevent HPV.

Vaccination against HPV is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The vaccine is given in three doses. For the greatest effect, the vaccine should be given before potential exposure to HPV through sexual contact. In addition, you should know:

-The vaccine may or may not treat those who already have the affects of HPV

-You still need regular Pap tests and exams after receiving vaccine

What Are The Risks/Side Effects Of The Vaccine?

There are currently two vaccines to prevent HPV infection (Gardasil and Cervarix). Both vaccines are created from inactive forms of the virus, so there are no risks of contracting HPV from the vaccine.

Both vaccines are associated with some mild side effects. The most common are:

-Pain at the injection site

-Swelling or redness at the injection site

-Fainting

What Does The HPV Vaccine Cost?

The standard price of the vaccine is $125 per dose, or $375 for the series (the complete vaccine requires three injections). Of course, this price doesn’t include fees that your physician’s office will charge.

The vaccine is covered by most insurance plans. But, if you are uninsured or underinsured you may qualify for one of the assistance programs listed below:

-Glaxo Smith Kline's Vaccine Access Program

-Merck's Patient Assistance Program

-Vaccines For Children Program

What Are The Vaccine Options?

You have two options, Cervarix and Gardasil.

Cervarix is produced by Glaxo Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals. It’s given by injection in a 3-dose series. After the initial injection, follow up injections are administered 2 and 6 months later, respectively. Cervarix is a preventative vaccine that protects against the most common HPV types, which currently cause about seventy percent of cervical cancer cases.

Like Cervarix, Gardasil is administered by injection in a 3-dose series. Gardasil is produced by Merck Pharmaceuticals. Gardasil protects against the high-risk HPV strains most often associated with cervical cancer. It also protect against the strains that are responsible for 90 percent of genital wart infections.

How Does The HPV Infection Cause Genital Warts?

Genital warts are caused by certain low-risk strains of HPV. Having genital warts doesn’t make you more likely to develop cervical cancer.

Treatments for genital warts include medications and surgical removal. But remember, these treatments only take care of symptoms - they don’t prevent future outbreaks.

If diagnosed with genital warts, you should still talk with your doctor about receiving the HPV vaccine.  Receiving the HPV vaccine can still protect genital wart patience against the other high-risk strains of the HPV virus.

While infection with high or low-risk genital HPV types is common, the infection only rarely results in genital warts.

Where Can I Get The HPV Vaccine Or Pap Test?

Contact your doctor or healthcare provider to schedule an HPV Vaccine appointment or a Pap Test.  If you don't have insurance, there are Federally Funded Health Centers that are required to care for the uninsured.  You can search for your local Federally Funded Health Center here.

What Are Pap, Pelvic, HPV, And Biopsy Test?

To learn more about Pap tests, Pelvic exams, HPV DVA tests, and Biopsy tests, visit our Cervical Diagnosis section here.

How Can I Lower My Risk Of HPV infection?

To learn how to lower your risk of HPV infection by getting testing and other prevention tips, visit our Cervical Cancer Prevention section here.

Can I Talk To Someone?

Have more questions about HPV infection and Cervical Cancer?  Visit our Cervical Cancer Next Steps section for contact info.

Last Updated on Monday, 20 August 2012 08:41