Group of teenagers
Group of teenagers
Group of teenagers
Group of teenagers

While the vaccine can help protect women from HPV, there are other things you can do. Condoms may lower the risk of HPV, if used all the time and correctly. Condoms may also lower the risk of developing HPV-related diseases, such as genital warts and cervical cancer. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom—so they may not fully protect against HPV. The only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.19


Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the US.

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that is the major cause of cervical cancer. Most people who become infected with HPV do not show symptoms, while others suffer from cervical cancer or genital warts.19

HPV is most common in people in their late teens and early twenties, and about 20 million people are infected with this virus.19 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, about 10,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 3000 will die from the disease.20

Vaccination can help protect against the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It is recommended that girls 11-12 years of age receive the HPV vaccine. It is also recommended for females 13-26 years of age who did not receive the vaccine when they were younger.19