HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)

• About 40 types of HPV can infect the human genital area — the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, and scrotum.
• There are high-risk types — associated with cervical cancer and less commonly with anal, vulvar, vaginal and oral (mouth and throat) cancers.
• There are low-risk types — associated with genital warts.

HOW COMMON IS HPV

• It is very common among sexually active people.
• Three out of four people have HPV at some point in their lives.

HOW DO PEOPLE GET HPV

• Most commonly, from vaginal and anal intercourse.
• Less commonly, from skin-to-skin genital contact or oral sex.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE HPV

• Most people never know.
• You may get genital warts.
• You may have an abnormal Pap that is caused by HPV.
• You may get a positive HPV test.

CAN I GET TESTED FOR HPV

• Yes. We can do the test.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK OF GETTING HPV

• Practice abstinence.
• Have a mutually monogamous relationship.
• Use condoms every time.
• Get the HPV vaccine.

CAN I FIND OUT WHO GAVE ME HPV

• No, it could be from any previous partner that you’ve had.

HPV VACCINE

WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE HPV VACCINES

• Gardasil.
• Cervarix.
• New vaccines may be available in a few years time.

WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE

• Women between the ages of 9 and 26 can receive the vaccine.
• Men between the ages of 9 and 26 can receive Gardasil.
• Ideally, the vaccine should be given before the onset of sexual activity, but women and men who are sexually active can still be vaccinated.
• It is licensed to be used up to the age of 45.

I’M OLDER THAN 26, CAN I GET THE HPV VACCINE

• Yes. It is approved for women and men to age 26, but older people may be candidates to receive the vaccine.

HOW SAFE IS THE VACCINE

• Yes.

HOW IS THE VACCINE GIVEN

• It is a series of three injections in a six-month period given in the upper, outer part of the arm.