Human papillomavirus (HPV) is so common that it's often mentioned in medical circles—if you're sexually active, you've likely come into contact with at least one strain of the virus at some point in your life. Yet HPV is one of the most poorly understood viruses.
How common is it?
According to the CDC, HPV is so common that virtually every sexually active person will be exposed to it at some point in their lives, often without even having symptoms. There are more than 100 strains — some "low-risk" (causing genital warts) and some "high-risk" (linked to cervical, anal, throat, and oral cancers).
Why doesn't everyone get cancer?
An important, often overlooked fact is: the majority of HPV infections (about 90%) are cleared by the body's immune system within 1-2 years, with no long-term consequences. Cancer development requires persistent, long-term infection with a high-risk strain, which is a relatively rare outcome among the general population.
Vaccination
The HPV vaccine (such as Gardasil 9) protects against the most common and dangerous strains of the virus. The World Health Organization and CDC recommend vaccination at ages 11-12 (possible as early as age 9), before the onset of sexual activity — although vaccination is also recommended up to age 26 for those who have not yet been vaccinated, and in some cases up to age 45, based on individual medical evaluation.
Myth: "The vaccine treats an existing infection"
The vaccine is a preventive, not a cure — it does not treat an existing HPV infection or changes that have already developed. That's why it is most effective when given before sexual activity begins, although it is still useful for people who are already sexually active and have not yet been exposed to all the strains in the vaccine.
Myth: "It's only for women"
HPV vaccination is equally recommended for boys — the virus is linked not only to cervical cancer, but also to penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as genital warts, which affect both sexes equally.
Cervical screening
Vaccination does not replace the need for regular Pap tests (cytological screening) — the vaccine does not protect against all strains of the virus, so guidelines continue regular screening (usually from ages 21-25, with intervals depending on age and previous results) even for vaccinated women.
Genital warts
Genital warts caused by low-risk strains are not dangerous in terms of cancer, although they can be aesthetically and psychologically disturbing. Treatment is available (cryotherapy, topical medications, or surgical removal by a doctor) — self-treatment is not recommended.
Limited condom protection
Condoms reduce, but do not completely eliminate, HPV transmission, as the virus can be present on areas of skin not covered by a condom—one of the reasons why vaccination plays a particularly important preventive role.