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Human Papillomavirus is a highly contagious viral disease that infects the epithelial cells of skin and mucosa and results in genital warts (papilloma's), or warts on the skin, face, or feet. It is the most common STI in America with over 79 million over the age of 20 who are infected, but this viral infection and its complications can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.

There are nearly 200 varieties of the pathogen, but many are known to be cancer-causing. Types 6 and 11 are most often associated with genital warts.

The virus may lie dormant in an infected person’s cells after the initial infection was fought off by the body. In its dormant state, the virus cannot be detected by tests nor can it spread to other people, but can become active again at any time, even years down the line. This makes it difficult to pinpoint just how one became infected, but any sexually active person who is not vaccinated is at risk for HPV.

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The time between exposure and appearance of symptoms tends to vary greatly for the many types of papillomaviruses but is more commonly 2-3 months; yet in some cases, it may take over a year for symptoms to arise.

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Warts shaped like whiteish bumps on the skin or cauliflower heads. They may be in clusters or a single wart, and their size varies.

Abnormal cancer-causing skin growths (dysplastic tissue growths) on the genitals and other areas.

Growths that are irritated, itchy, or burning.

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Although HPV can go away on its own, in some cases it leads to frightening complications such as cancer. People who have contracted HPV are at higher risk for cervical cancer and various cancers of the reproductive organs as well as throat and tongue cancers. There are on average about 13,477 cancers found per year in people infected with HPV in parts of their body where HPV was present. It is best to vaccinate your children before they become sexually active and are at risk for exposure to HPV.

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All young boys and girls should receive the HPV vaccine, also known as 9vHPV or Gardasil, between the ages of 11 and 12, before they become sexually active and are at risk for exposure. It should be administered in two doses, 6-12 months apart, to fully build up immunity. The minimum age to get the HPV vaccine is 9 years old.

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The first HPV vaccine became available in 2006, and the one currently in use was approved in 2014 for patients aged 9-26 years old. Prevalence of genital infection with any HPV type was 42.5% among United States adults aged 18–59 years during the years right before the vaccine was introduced. Prevalence of HPV has decreased significantly since the vaccine was introduced showing a decrease in females aged 14–19 years (from 11.5% to 3.3%) and 20–24 years (from 18.5% to 7.2%); these are the age groups most likely to benefit from an HPV vaccination.

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Each year, about 14 million people become newly infected with HPV in the United States. Each year, about 19,000 cancers caused by HPV occur in women, and cervical cancer is the most common.  About 8,000 cancers caused by HPV occur each year in men in the U, and cancers in the throat are the most common. HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get the virus at some point in their lives. HPV types 16 and 18 account for approximately 66% of cervical cancers in the US.

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HPV is most commonly spread via sexual activity including close skin-to-skin contact during intercourse. It can be spread even when the infected person has no noticeable signs or symptoms of the disease. HPV can also spread to an infant child from an infected mother during childbirth, breastfeeding, or pregnancy. Contact with warts can spread the infection as well.

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HPV is the acronym for the virus called Human Papillomavirus, which, when one becomes infected with it, results in genital warts and may lead to cervical cancers.