Facts about HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus that infects epithelial (skin or mucosal) cells. There are over 100 types of HPV, 40 of which infect the genital area in men and women. HPV types are grouped into low-risk and high-risk types depending on what diseases they may cause.
Genital HPV infection is extremely common and most often causes no symptoms. However, some men and women infected with low-risk HPV types, such as HPV-6 or HPV-11, may develop genital warts. Children who are infected with HPV-6 or HPV-11 at birth may develop respiratory warts. Some women infected with high -risk types , such as HPV-16 or HPV-18, may develop precancerous conditions of the cervix such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. These conditions may regress (go away) on their own, but sometimes they progress to invasive cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. About 250,000 women die from cervical cancer each year. Both men and women can develop other anogenital cancers from HPV.
The majority of HPV-related anogenital cancers are caused by HPV-16 and HPV-18 (together accounting for about 70% of cases globally), while the remaining 30% are due to other high-risk HPV types (such as HPV-31, -33, -35, -39, -45). The relative importance of different high-risk types varies between countries and regions, but type 16 makes the greatest contribution to cervical cancer in all regions.
Facts about HPV Vaccines
HPV vaccines are close to 100% effective in preventing HPV infection and precancerous conditions that may lead to cervical cancer, if the vaccine is given before a person is exposed to the HPV types contained in the vaccine.
HPV vaccines appear to be safe and generally are well tolerated.
Two HPV vaccines have been developed. Both prevent infection with type 16 and -18, and may prevent up to 70% of cervical cancers. One of the vaccines also prevents infection with HPV-6 and -11, and may prevent about 95% of genital warts.
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