Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

What is Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection? 

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HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes). 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. But there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening.

Additional Information and Facts 

CDC Fact Sheet on HPV

Testing and Treatment

Can I be treated for HPV or health problems caused by HPV?

There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause:

  1. Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider or with prescription medication. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.
  2. Cervical precancer can be treated. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment. For more information visit www.cancer.org
  3. Other HPV-related cancers are also more treatable when diagnosed and treated early. For more information visit www.cancer.org

Content source: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, January 19). STD Facts - Human papillomavirus (HPV). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, December 28). HPV Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/treatment.htm.

Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Page last updated 8/16/24