5 things you might not know about HPV

Edwin Hayes, MD

Infectious Diseases

You probably know that human papilloma virus, or HPV, can cause cervical cancer, but there’s a lot about this common STD that goes undiscussed. Infectious disease expert Edwin Hayes, MD, explained five things you might not know about HPV.

1. HPV is extremely prevalent.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. “Statistically speaking, over 80% of people in the United States are going to have at least one strain of human papilloma virus infection in their lifetime,” Dr. Hayes said.

Although there are multiple strains, only some of them cause health problems.

2. HPV causes more than just cervical cancer.

In addition to being associated with cervical cancer and genital warts, it can cause cancer of the rectum, penis, mouth and throat.

“HPV can affect anyone, really,” Dr. Hayes said. “We traditionally think of cancer of the cervix, but all individuals can be infected.”

3. HPV may show no symptoms for years.

Some of the strains of HPV can be inside of a person’s body for years before they start to have signs of cancer growth. Those cancer growth signs, particularly in a someone with a cervix, can be hard to see because they’re happening inside of the vagina out of sight.

“If you have a cervix, it’s important to get it checked, because you could have issues with infection and even cancer for a long time before there are signs that something is wrong,” Dr. Hayes said. “A Pap smear at least once every two years is recommended.”

4. Condoms are not fool-proof protection.

Like many infections, human papilloma virus is spread skin to skin, and condoms are a common form of barrier protection.

“If people wear condoms during sex, it decreases the chance of them transmitting HPV, but it’s not a guarantee,” Dr. Hayes explained. “If a condom is not completely covering the areas that are connecting or if people are not wearing condoms during oral sex, the infection can still spread.”

Condoms decrease the risk but using them consistently is key to making sure there is as little risk as possible.

5. Vaccination is available up to age 45.

Routine vaccination typically happens at 11 or 12 years old, but you can get an HPV vaccination up to age 45. Although most people have been exposed to HPV by age 27, which means there might be less benefit of getting the vaccine, Dr. Hayes said it really depends on a person’s risk.

“For someone who is having more sexual partners later in life, getting an HPV vaccine would have the potential to protect them from cancer,” he said. “Not just discomfort when they urinate or sores in their mouth, but literally protect them from something that could kill them. I think vaccination against HPV has come a very long way and it’s something that many more people need to consider.”