Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country, and yet it is perhaps the least spoken of on college campuses.

There are over 150 types of HPV— named for the warts, or papilloma, that some types cause—, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

HPV is sexually transmitted and can lead to cervical cancer for most women. Symptoms may not show themselves for years after the virus is transmitted, which often makes it difficult to determine when exactly an individual obtained HPV and by whom, depending on their sexual history.

For women, HPV is often discovered through an appointment with a gynecologist, during which a pap smear is completed. A sample of cells is retrieved during this procedure that reveals the presence or lack of atypical cells. If cells do test atypical, they are then checked for HPV.

Before panic sets in, it is important to note that HPV does not always lead to warts or cancer. In fact, according to both the CDC and WebMD, it is common for the infection to clear on its own.

“Some people never know they were infected,” according to WebMD. “In fact, research has found that about 90 percent of women infected with HPV show no traces of the virus within two years.”

If, however, the infection does not go away, the infection can lead to genital warts, cervical cancer, and other types of cancer as well. The HPV that causes cancer is not the same as that causes warts. Symptoms of cancer take years to develop and are thus much more difficult to treat.

Of course, it is possible to prevent HPV.

Vaccines exist for both men and women. Women must receive two vaccines in order to defend themselves from HPV. These include Cervarix and Gardasil. Men only have to receive Gardasil. Both vaccines protect individuals from both warts and various forms of cancer.

In addition, the use of condoms during sex, as well as limiting one’s number of sexual partners, can seriously reduce the likelihood of developing HPV—although it is important to note that one can develop HPV even if they are monogamous and have only had one sexual partner throughout their life. Of course, abstinence is the only absolute way of avoiding the possibility of HPV.

UPDATE:

“HPV is sexually transmitted and can lead to cervical cancer for most women.”
HPV is sexually transmitted and almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, but, it is only when certain types of HPV do not go away over years that it can cause cancers. HPV goes away in most, though not all, cases. There is no way to know which people will go on to develop cancer or other health problems from HPV. Read more from the CDC here: http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/cancer.html  

“Vaccines exist for both men and women. Women must receive two vaccines in order to defend themselves from HPV. These include Cervarix and Gardasil. Men only have to receive Gardasil. Both vaccines protect individuals from both warts and various forms of cancer.
Gardasil and Gardasil 9 are FDA-approved for both males and females, and Cervarix is only approved for females, but females do not need to get bothCervarix and Gardasil/Gardasil 9; Cervarix prevents against 2 HPV types, Gardasil prevents against 4 HPV types, and Gardasil 9 prevents against 9 HPV types. Gardasil and Gardasil 9 are manufactured by Merck.

Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products, it works with customers and operates in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. For more information, visit www.merck.com.