HPV is short forhuman papillomavirus, a very common virus that infects nearly everyone at some point.
There are many different strains of the virus, each identified with a number.
The strains can also cause anal cancer and throat cancers in men and women.
That includes 13 different HPV types known to causecervical cancer.
HPV also causes common skin warts, which are not consideredSTDs.
But even though its very common, HPV is widely misunderstood.
How Will I Know if I Have Cervical HPV?
This is particularly true in women under 30 years old.
“This is because our immune systems are definitely more active the younger we are.”
Acolposcopyis a procedure in which a magnifying instrument and bright light are used to examine the cervix.
What About Screening for Anal HPV?
Today, HPV is the primary cause of oropharyngeal cancer around the world.
Both oral HPV infection and HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer are much more common amongmenthan women.
Does the HPV Vaccine Protect Against Types 16 and 18?
The CDC recommends that all adolescents get theHPV vaccineat age 11 or 12.
Its also recommended through age 26 for anyone who wasnt fully vaccinated at a younger age.
It’s pretty clear-cut.
If you’re free to do something to prevent the cancer, why wouldn’t you?
Still, Oh cautions that the HPV vaccine doesnt do away with the need for safer sexual practices.
We still need to protect ourselves.
Additional reporting byQuinn Phillips.
She is board-certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases.
She also teaches medical trainees and lectures medical students at the Emory University School of Medicine.
Cassata contributes to Healthline, Verywell, Yahoo, and more.
Cassata completed the editing certificate program at the University of Chicago.
