Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
General information
Please visit the Vaccine Education Center for general information about HPV and the vaccine.
Additional information from past issues of the Parents PACK newsletter
- Rates of HPV infection and cervical cancer
- The facts about human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine
Rates of HPV infection and cervical cancer
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection around the world. Each year, about 300,000 women die worldwide from cervical cancer.
In the U.S. each year, about 6 million people are infected with HPV, 10,000 women develop cervical cancer and 4,000 women die from cervical cancer. There are currently about 20 million Americans living with HPV.
The facts about human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine
Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine made headlines recently. Misinformation about the disease and the vaccine may lead to decisions to forego vaccination. In fact, a recent survey of adolescent girls suggested that many are not being immunized with this important vaccine. In the light of these events, we felt it was important to provide accurate information.
Diseases and conditions caused by HPV
HPV is a family of viruses, some of which cause:
- Cervical cancer or cancers of other reproductive organs
- Genital warts
- Anal cancer
- Penile cancer
- Cancers of the head and neck
Transmission of HPV
HPV is transmitted by sexual contact, most often in the form of sexual intercourse. However, it can also be transmitted by genital-to-genital contact and oral sex.
Appearance of disease following infection
HPV infections are unique. First, most people never know they were infected. Unlike a cold in which symptoms develop a few days after exposure to the virus, HPV infections are typically not symptomatic. Second, HPV infections can last for long periods of time. The average length of infection is about eight months; however, for about 1 of every 10 women, the infection lasts longer than two years. It is in this group of women that there is an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer often doesn’t occur until years after the initial infection.
Preventing HPV
The risk of contracting HPV can be reduced or prevented by:
- Immunization - Two HPV vaccines are available in the U.S. Both are given as a series of three shots over six months. The second shot is given one to two months after the first, and the third is given six months after the first.
- Both vaccines protect against the two types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer. One of the vaccines, Gardasil®, also protects against the two most common types of HPV that cause anal and genital warts.
- Condoms – Use of condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of becoming infected with HPV. Improper use, lack of use for the entire sexual encounter, and lack of coverage of all genital areas all contribute to transmission of the virus between partners.
- Abstinence
Age recommendations
The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls between 11 and 12 years of age; however, those as young as 9 and women as old as 26 can also be immunized. Girls can get either version of the vaccine. Boys between the ages of 9 and 18 years of age can also get the HPV vaccine; however, only the Gardasil® vaccine, that contains four types of HPV, is licensed for use in boys.
Some parents do not want to give HPV vaccine to their adolescents because they are not yet sexually active and parents do not want to promote sexual activity; however, the vaccine will work best when given before any sexual activity, even if that activity occurs years later. Unfortunately, half of new infections each year are in teens and young adults between 15 and 24 years old. And studies have shown that HPV vaccine does not increase the likelihood of indiscriminate sexual activity.
Vaccine safety
HPV vaccines have been given to millions of people. Of those who got the vaccine, the most common adverse events were pain, redness or swelling at the injection site. Fainting has also been associated with the vaccine; therefore, patients should stay seated or lying down for about 15 minutes after getting the vaccine.
During a recent presidential primary debate, one candidate suggested that the vaccine can cause mental retardation; however, this condition has never been associated with the HPV vaccine nor does the timing make sense, since mental retardation is typically diagnosed in early childhood and the vaccine is given in adolescence.
Some parents have claimed that the vaccine caused blood clots, strokes or heart attacks. However, when these claims were investigated, no association was found. In most cases, use of birth control pills was linked to these outcomes.
Additional information
- Information from the Vaccine Education Center website
- Printable Q&A sheet in English or Spanish
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information
- Links to additional information provided by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC)
Updated: January 2012
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- Vaccine Education Center