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HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
> Fast Facts
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- There are over 100 HPV types.
- About 30 of these types are sexually transmitted and cause genital HPV.
- Genital HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, not through an exchange of bodily fluid.
- Genital HPV cannot be entirely prevented by condom use.
- This virus is often asymptomatic -- people usually don't know they have it.
- About 5.5 million new genital HPV cases occur each year -- this is about 1/3 of all new STD infections.
- About 20 million people -- men and women -- are thought to have an active HPV infection at any given time.
- Nearly three out of four Americans between the ages of 15 and 49 have been infected with genital HPV in their lifetime.
- HPV can be contracted from one partner, remain dormant, and then later be unknowingly transmitted to another sexual partner, including a spouse.
- Though usually harmless, some types cause cervical cancer.
- About 14,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year.
- Over 5,000 women each year die of cervical cancer in the United States.
- The best way to screen for cervical cancer is a Pap test, which may be done alone or in combination with an HPV DNA test.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that sexually active women and women age 21 and older should have an annual gynecologic exam in addition to Pap tests at regular intervals (the frequency of Pap tests can vary depending on a woman's age and the type of Pap test being done). Click here for more information.
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