The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted disease; it can, however, be prevented.
Millions of people are infected with HPV every year, and the clinical staff at St. Lawrence Health want you to be aware that you do not have to become one of the virus’s statistics. Using precaution when engaging in sexual activity is always important, and being vaccinated against HPV between the ages of 11 and 26 is a safe and effective way to prevent it.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), receiving the vaccine between these ages provides the most protection. Some adults age 27 through 45 who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination.
It is important to understand that at any age, having a new sexual partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection.
Most people with HPV are unaware they even have the infection. They never develop symptoms or health problems from it. In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems.
Others may find out they have HPV when they get genital warts, and females may find out when they get an abnormal Pap test result (during a cervical cancer screening). Others may only find out once they have developed more serious problems from HPV, such as cancers.
You also can discover you have been infected with HPV years after having sex with someone who has the infection. This makes it hard to know when you first contracted the virus.
There is no treatment for the virus itself; however, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause. For informative and accurate information about HPV, talk with your St. Lawrence Health provider or find one online, or visit the CDC’s website.
St. Lawrence Health has a dedicated page on its website that highlights some of the most common and encouraged vaccinations and immunizations.
