1. HPV Human Papillomavirus A Common Infection Causing Uncommon Problems

2. Who gets HPV?
ANYONE who has genital contact with another person.

3. What do we know about HPV?
At least 50% of sexually active people will get genital HPV.
Genital HPV is NOT a new virus, but usually has no symptoms and goes away on its own.
It is common in men & women.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States.
CDC, 2007

4. There are 6.2 million new cases of HPV infection annually in the U.S.
74% occur in girls aged
Incidence infection is 38.9% by 24 months after first sexual intercourse.
Markowitz, Dunne, Saraiya, Lawson, Chesson, & Unger, 2007

5. Sexual Activity of Young Girls
Females in the U.S. that are sexually-active
26% by age 14
40% by age 16
70% by age 18
Mosher, Chandra, and Jones, 2005

6. The Youth Behavioral Survey
Indicated that 4% of girls are sexually- active before the age of 13 years.
Of sexually active girls, 6% of 9th graders & 10% of 12th graders had four or more sexual partners.
Eaton, Kann, Kinchen, Ross, Hawkins, Harris, 2005

7. HPV is passed on by………
Genital contact with a person who has HPV, including
Vaginal sex with a person who has HPV
Anal sex with a person who has HPV
CDC, 2007

8. What about the link between HPV and Cancers?
In 2003, cervical cancer incidence in the U.S. was 8.1 per 100,000 women with 11,820 new cases reported.
Markowitz,et al, 2007

9. HPV Accounts for 68% of squamous cell cancers
83% of adenocarcinomas of the cervix
50% of vulvar squamous cell cancers
76% of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasias
90% of anal squamous cell cancers

10. HPV is NOT passed on by…….
Contact with toilet seats
Kissing, hugging, or holding hands
Poor personal hygiene
Sharing food or utensils
Swimming in pools or hot tubs
CDC, 2007

11. HPV is NOT the same as HIV or Herpes (HSV).
While these are all viruses that can be sexually transmitted, these viruses do NOT cause the same symptoms or health problems.
CDC, 2007

12. HPV falls into 2 main groups.
“Low Risk HPV”
(which causes genital warts)
“High Risk HPV”
(which causes cervical cancer)
CDC, 2007

13. Is it “High Risk HPV” or “Low Risk HPV”?

14. “Low Risk HPV” Does NOT put people at risk for cancer.
Can cause mild changes in the cervix.
Is harmless & temporary.
Can cause genital warts, which can be treated.
The virus, however, remains & can be transmitted
CDC, 2007

15. “High Risk HPV” Is linked to anogenital & cervical cancer.
Does NOT cause health problems.
Can linger & cause cell changes if untreated.
Untreated, persistent viruses put people at risk for cancer.
CDC, 2007

16. Are you willing to gamble with the odds?

17. What makes you more likely to get HPV?
Being sexually active
Having sex at an early age
Having multiple sex partners
Having sex with partners who have had multiple partners
CDC, 2007

18. Does “High Risk HPV” mean cancer?
High Risk HPV can cause cancer if it persists & changes cells over years

19. The Good News! Cervical cancer is highly preventable.
A vaccine is available now, which protects against most cervical cancers.

20. How can women prevent cervical cancer?
Females ages 9-26 should get an HPV vaccine.
Women should get regular pap smears & follow-up appointments.
CDC, 2007

21. The new HPV Vaccine
Protects against four HPV types which together cause
70% of cervical cancers
90% of genital warts
CDC, 2007

22. The HPV Vaccine Given as a series of 3 shots over 6 months
Recommended for
11-12 year olds (can be given as young as 9)
13-26 year olds who have not received or completed the series

23. Who benefits most from the vaccine?
Females who have not yet had sex.
Young, sexually active females who are most unlikely to have been infected with all four types of HPV by age 26.
CDC, 2007

24. Does the vaccine replace the Pap Test?
The pap test still remains the best way to screen for cervical cancer.
The vaccine does NOT protect against ALL cervical cancers.
More than half of all women who develop cervical cancer have NOT been screened with a pap test.

25. The Pap Test is the “gold standard” for cervical cancer screening.
Doctors cannot treat HPV, but they can treat the cell changes that HPV causes

26. Why is the Pap Test important?
It screens for cell changes caused by HPV.
These changes can be treated, before they become cancer.
Cervical cancer is rarer in the U.S. because of the Pap Test.
CDC, 2007

27. The Pap Test is NOT the same as the test for HPV.
The Pap Test looks for abnormal cell changes on the cervix.
The HPV test is used to find HPV on the cervix.
Women over 40 should have an HPV DNA test to screen for risks of the virus before cancer develops.
Saslow, 2007

28. How are men affected by HPV?
Genital HPV is common in men.
It rarely causes health complications in heterosexual men.
The most obvious result is genital warts, which can be seen with the naked eye.
CDC, 2007

29. Silence Can Be Deadly
Men can have genital HPV with no symptoms & pass it on to their partner.
There is NO current vaccine for men.
CDC, 2007

30. What is the best way to prevent HPV?
Abstinence
If you are sexually active, condoms may lower your chances of getting HPV.
However, HPV can affect areas not covered by the condom.
Only have sex with a mutually faithful partner who has had no or few sex partners.
CDC, 2007

31. Don’t Blame and Don’t Feel Shamed
The virus is common.
You can have the virus for a very long time & not know it.
Your current partner might not be the person that gave it to you.
Don’t assume infidelity
CDC, 2007

32. Understand HPV Don’t be fooled. Don’t be alarmed. Be informed
Understand HPV Don’t be fooled. Don’t be alarmed. Be informed. Stay healthy.

33. For more information, contact
Betty Bowles, RNC, MSN
Martha Gibson, RN, MSN
Lauren Jansen, RN, MSN
Wilson School of Nursing
Midwestern State University
3410 Taft Blvd.
Bridwell Hall
Wichita Falls, TX 76308

34. References
Center for Disease Control (CDC) (2007). HPV. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from
Eaton, D.K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J., Harris, W.A., et al. (2005). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, Retrieved April 11, 2007, from
Markowitz,L.F., Dunne, E.F., Saraiya, M., Lawson, H.W., Chesson, H. & Unger, E.R. (2007). Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). Retrieved April 11, 2007, from
Mosher, W.D., Chandra, A., & Jones, J. (2005). Sexual behavior and selected health measures: Men and women years of age, United States, Advance dated from vital and health statistics: no 362. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.
Saslow, D. (2007). MORE. (10)(4). Why you need an HPV test today.