HPV
Human Papillomavirus
A Common Infection
Causing Uncommon Problems
Who gets HPV?

ANYONE who has
genital contact with
another person.
What do we know about HPV?
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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



There are 6.2 million new cases of
HPV infection annually in the U.S.
74% occur in girls aged 15-24.
Incidence infection is 38.9%
by 24 months after first
sexual intercourse.
Markowitz, Dunne, Saraiya, Lawson, Chesson, & Unger, 2007
Sexual Activity of Young Girls

Females in the U.S. that are sexually-active


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26% by age 14
40% by age 16
70% by age 18
Mosher, Chandra, and Jones, 2005
The Youth Behavioral Survey


Indicated that 4% of girls are sexuallyactive 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
HPV is passed on by………

Genital contact with a person who has
HPV, including


CDC, 2007
Vaginal sex with a person who has HPV
Anal sex with a person who has HPV
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
HPV

Accounts for


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68%
83%
50%
76%
90%
of
of
of
of
of
squamous cell cancers
adenocarcinomas of the cervix
vulvar squamous cell cancers
vulvar intraepithelial neoplasias
anal squamous cell cancers
HPV is NOT passed on by…….
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

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CDC, 2007
Contact with toilet seats
Kissing, hugging, or holding hands
Poor personal hygiene
Sharing food or utensils
Swimming in pools or hot tubs
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
HPV falls into 2 main groups.


“Low Risk HPV”
(which causes genital warts)
“High Risk HPV”
(which causes cervical cancer)
CDC, 2007
Is it “High Risk HPV” or
“Low Risk HPV”?
“Low Risk HPV”




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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
“High Risk HPV”

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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
Are you willing to gamble with
the odds?
What makes you more likely
to get HPV?
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Being sexually active
Having sex at an early age
Having multiple sex partners
Having sex with partners who have had
multiple partners
CDC, 2007
Does “High Risk HPV”
mean cancer?
High Risk HPV can cause
cancer if it persists &
changes cells over years
The Good News!
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
Cervical cancer is highly preventable.
A vaccine is available now, which protects
against most cervical cancers.
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
The new HPV Vaccine

Protects against four HPV types which
together cause


CDC, 2007
70% of cervical cancers
90% of genital warts
The HPV Vaccine

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Given as a series of 3 shots over 6 months
Recommended for
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11-12 year olds (can be given as young as 9)
13-26 year olds who have not received or
completed the series
Who benefits most from the
vaccine?


CDC, 2007
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.
Does the vaccine replace
the Pap Test?


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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.
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
Why is the Pap Test
important?

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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
The Pap Test is NOT the same
as the test for HPV.

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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
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
Silence Can Be Deadly

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Men can have genital
HPV with no symptoms
& pass it on to their
partner.
There is NO current
vaccine for men.
CDC, 2007
What is the best way to
prevent HPV?

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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
Don’t Blame and
Don’t Feel Shamed

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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
Understand HPV
Don’t be fooled.
Don’t be alarmed.
Be informed.
Stay healthy.
For more information, contact

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
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
940-397-4000
References
Center for Disease Control (CDC) (2007). HPV. Retrieved April 4, 2007, from
www.cdc.goc/std/hpv
Eaton, D.K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J., Harris, W.A., et al. (2005).
Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2007,
from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/SS5505al.htm
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
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5602al.htm?s_cid=rr5602al_c
Mosher, W.D., Chandra, A., & Jones, J. (2005). Sexual behavior and selected health
measures: Men and women 15-44 years of age, United States, 2002. 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.