Description:   Genital human papillomavirus (H.P.V.) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States.  There are about 40 types of H.P.V..  About 20 million people in the U.S. are infected, and about 6.2 million more get infected each year. 

Symptoms:   Most H.P.V. infections don’t cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. 

Complications:   H.P.V. is important mainly because it can cause cervical cancer in women.  H.P.V. is also associated with several less common types of cancer in both men and women.  It can also cause genital warts and warts in the upper respiratory tract.  More than 50 percent of sexually active men and women are infected with H.P.V. at sometime in their lives.   There is no treatment for H.P.V. infection, but the conditions it causes can be treated.

Transmission:   H.P.V. is spread through sexual contact.

Vaccine:   Human Papillomavirus vaccine is for females age 9-26 and can prevent this disease.

Printable Vaccine Information Statement

Pictures:  CDC pictures / Immunization Action Coalition pictures.