About HPV HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common virus1 . Almost everyone will get HPV at some stage in their lives1 . HPV is spread through intimate skin to skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, even if the infected person doesn’t have any signs or symptoms1 .
If you are sexually active, you can get HPV, regardless of the number of sexual partners you have had2 . You can also develop symptoms years after having sex with someone who has the infection, which makes it hard to know when you first got it2 .
HPV infection usually clears up by itself but if not, it can cause genital warts and certain cancers in both men and women2 .
HPV infections can cause cancers of the1 :
Cervix, vagina, and vulva
Penis
Anus
It is important to note that cancer typically takes years to develop after getting a HPV infection3 . HPV vaccination can prevent over 90% of cancers caused by HPV, as well as anal, vaginal, cervical, and vulvar precancers3 .
Visit http://www.HPVAware.ie now for materials to help educate your patients about HPV and HPV vaccination.
