Feature Article: Get Answers to Your HPV Questions
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Parents PACKJanuary is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer. Maintaining yearly gynecological appointments and getting the proper screening tests are critical to not only maintaining health and wellness, but also for catching precancerous changes in the cervix early. While cervical health is something many women only think about around their annual exam, sometimes an abnormal test result, the diagnosis of genital warts in their partner, or the question of a vaccination generates questions about this fairly common virus known as HPV.
If you have questions, the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) has a wealth of information that may help. The VEC offers information related to the biology of HPV, the cancers and other health issues it causes, and the vaccines available to prevent it.
The Prevent-HPV.org Web page provides answers to questions we have received from others related to a variety of aspects of HPV. Categories include:
- HPV infection – general
- HPV and pregnancy
- HPV and Pap testing
- HPV vaccine
- Additional resources
If you have a specific question about HPV that you do not see answered, simply click on “Ask your HPV questions here” at the top of the page and we will get you answers to your questions.
In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the VEC is pleased to announce the launch of another HPV-related resource. The newest Talking About Vaccines with Dr. Paul Offit video series is all about HPV. This video series features Dr. Paul Offit, director of the VEC, answering questions commonly asked of the VEC. Previous offerings in the series have addressed age groups and vaccines and vaccine safety and science. The newly released series is the first dedicated to a single disease — HPV. You can check out the entire playlist or watch individual videos of interest:
- What are the health issues related to HPV and how long does HPV infection last?
- How can I protect myself from HPV transmission, particularly if my partner is infected?
- What do my Pap test results mean and how can my partner and I know if we are infected with HPV?
- If my partner has genital warts, but my Pap test is normal, does that mean I have not been infected with HPV?
- Do all types of HPV cause cancer?
- Are there different HPV vaccines?
- Do I need to restart the HPV vaccine if I missed a dose?
- If I already had the HPV vaccine, do I need the HPV-9 vaccine?
- Why do boys have to get the HPV vaccine?
- Why is the HPV vaccine recommended for adolescents?
- Can I still get the HPV vaccine if I am older?
Categories: Feature Article, Parents PACK Jan. 2016
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.