Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States, with over half of sexually active men and women being infected at some point in their lives. HPV can cause genital warts and, in women, cervical cancer. While most HPV infections cause no symptoms, regular pap smears are important for women to screen for cervical cancer. Vaccines can protect against some high risk HPV types.

1. “
Genital human
papillomavirus (HPV)
is the most common
sexually transmitted
What is virus in the United
States. More than half
HPV?
of sexually active men
and women are infected
with HPV at some time
HPV stands for Human in their lives.”
Papillomavirus. It is a sexually
transmitted disease that affects the
genital area of males and females.
There are more than 40 types of
HPV, some causing genital warts, Signs, Symptoms,
some having no physical symptoms, and Potential Health
and some that may lead to cervical
cancer in women. problems of HPV
Genital Warts:
How Common Men and Women
HPV?
These usually appear on the genital
area of males and females and
is look like a small bump or a group of
bumps. These warts may either be
raised or flat, making them hard to
detect. These warts may be treated
HPV is one the most common sexually
but will not turn into cancer.
transmitted diseases.
Most people who have sex will develop Cervical Cancer: HPV is passed through
an HPV infection at some point in their Women only genital contact, most often
lives. Because HPV is so hard
to detect on your own, during sexual intercourse.
Most people who get HPV don’t even it is VERY important for
know it, they will only find out about women to get annual HPV can still be passed
the HPV infection if they develop exams and pap smears if even when someone has
genital warts or women may discover they are sexually active.
the infection through their annual pap Cervical cancer usually no signs or symptoms of
or HPV test. There is no HPV test for shows no signs or symptoms
men at this time. until it is advanced. That the virus.
is why it is so important for
Almost 50% of men and women that women to get regular pap
are sexually active are infected with smears and cervical cancer
HPV. screenings. Regular screenings
can detect early signs of
By age 50, at least 80% of sexually disease which can be treated
active people are infected. before ever turning into cancer.

2. DUPAGE COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday
Protect Vaccines for Women
Yourself The CDC and the American Cancer Society recommends that
all girls ages 11-12 get the HPV vaccine. Girls as young as 9
against years old may also receive the vaccine.
HPV…
The vaccine is recommended at such a young age because
it is most effective in girls that have not had intercourse and
have not been exposed to HPV.
Girls and women 13-26 may also want the vaccine to help
1) Abstinence- protect against potential HPV infection.
Abstaining from sex or limiting your number of
partners will help prevent the spread of HPV There are currently two vaccines available for women.
as well as many other STDs and HIV.
Gardisil:
Protects against four of the main types of HPV and most that
2) Limit your number of partners- lead to genital warts. This vaccine is given in three doses over
Being in a monogamous relationship will a six month period.
lower your chances of contracting HPV,
however, because HPV can take years Cervarix:
Protects against the more common forms of HPV and is also
to develop, even those in a long-term
given in three doses over a six month period.
relationship could contract HPV.
DUPAGE COUNTY
3) Use condoms- Vaccines for Men HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday
Condoms may lower the risk of HPV. In order
The only vaccine available for men is Gardasil.
for condoms to be effective they must be used
correctly and consistently every time during This is recommended to boys and men 9-26 years old.
sex. HPV can still infect the areas that are NOT
covered by a condom.
The DuPage County Health
PROTECT
4) Vaccines- Department offers an STD and HIV
Vaccines can protect males and females from walk-in clinic.
some of the most common forms of HPV.
YOURSELF
For more information call
(630) 682 -7400 or visit
www.dupagehealth.org
AGAINST
DUPAGE COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday
111 N County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Human Papillomavirus)