Did You Know? HPV Infections: 20 million + 6 million
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Parents PACK
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. In the United States, 20 million people are currently infected with HPV and 6 million more will become infected every year.
- Of 6 million new infections, half will be in people between the ages of 15 and 24.
- In 9 out of 10 infections, the body will clear it without the person even knowing they contracted HPV.
- However, in the 1 of 10 people with HPV infections that persist, the infections can develop into cancers of the cervix, head, neck, anus and genitals.
- Typically, the length of time from infection with HPV to development of cervical cancer is about 15-20 years.
- Although most HPV infections occur in teenagers and young adults, cervical cancer is more common in women in their 40s and 50s.
Categories: Did You Know?, Parents PACK Sept. 2015
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
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