For Tweens/Teens
What is HPV?
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus, an infection that's spread by skin-to-skin sexual contact. 4/5 people get HPV at some point in their lives, but most immune systems usually control the infection to go away on their own.
What are the symptoms and treatment for HPV?
Often people never know they have HPV. In most cases, your immune system clears the infection on its own without causing any health problems. There's no treatment or cure for the virus infection, but the health problems HPV can cause like genital warts and cancers can be treated.
How is HPV connected to Cancer?
Most people clear HPV on their own. But when a high-risk type of HPV lingers for many years, it can cause cells to change and cancer to develop. HPV can cause 6 types of cancer: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, & oropharyngeal (throat/tonsil) cancer.
What is the HPV vaccine and who gets it?
The vaccine prevents up to 90% of cancers caused by HPV and genital warts. Everyone between ages 9-26 should receive the HPV series. It offers the most protection when given to children ages 9-12. In the US, more than 135 million doses of HPV vaccine have been given safely.
Is the vaccine safe?
The CDC & WHO report that HPV vaccines are very safe. All vaccines used in the US, including HPV vaccines, go through extensive safety testing before the U.S. FDA licenses them. No serious adverse events have been associated with any HPV vaccine.
For more information on HPV vaccination safety, visit this fact sheet by the CDC: LINK
How do I reduce my risk of getting an HPV related cancer?
1) Get vaccinated against HPV.
2) Don't smoke - smoking increases the chance that HPV-related cell changes progress to cancer.
3) Get routine cervical cancer screening starting at age 21.
4) Using condoms and having fewer sexual partners also lowers the risk of HPV exposure.
2) Don't smoke - smoking increases the chance that HPV-related cell changes progress to cancer.
3) Get routine cervical cancer screening starting at age 21.
4) Using condoms and having fewer sexual partners also lowers the risk of HPV exposure.