1. Source: projectaccept.org

2. Did you know… HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Nearly all sexually active people will get HPV at some point during their lifetime. HPV infections are usually temporary, resolve completely without treatment, and don’t cause health problems. HPV is spread through sexual contact including close skin-to-skin touching during sex. Source: www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htmwww.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm

3. Did you know… It is possible to develop symptoms from HPV months or years after being infected. Therefore, it is difficult to determine exactly when you became infected. If you or your partner are diagnosed with HPV, there is no way to know how long you have had HPV, whether your partner gave you HPV, or whether you gave HPV to your partner. Source: www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htmwww.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm

4. HPV vaccines: There are 3 types of HPV vaccines approved in the US: – Cervarix: protects you against 2 strains (16, 18) and only given to females – Gardasil: protects you against 4 strains (6, 11, 16, 18) and can be given to females and males – Gardasil 9: protects you against 9 strains (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58) and can be given to females and males They are given in 3 doses over 6 months. Source: www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htmwww.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm

5. What can you do? Get vaccinated with the HPV (a.k.a. Gardasil) vaccine. Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. Women should get screened routinely with Pap smears. (There are no approved HPV tests for men at this time. ) Source: www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htmwww.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm

6. Why should you be concerned about HPV? There is a new case of cancer caused by HPV every 20 minutes. About 75% of vaginal cancer cases are linked to HPV. Almost ALL cervical cancer is caused by HPV. About 91% of anal cancer cases are linked to HPV. About 63% of penile cancer cases are linked to HPV. Source: www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htmwww.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm