 |
| |
| • |
The human papillomavirus is very common and can cause an infection in the cells of the cervix, vagina and genital area. |
| • |
Fortunately in 9 out of 10 people, infection is cleared naturally through the body’s own defences; however, for some women, HPV infection will not clear by itself and over time, can develop into different diseases which affect the genitals1 |
| • |
These diseases can occur internally or externally and include cervical pre-cancerous changes (abnormalities in the structure of the cervical cells), cervical cancer and genital warts2,3 |
|
| |
|
|
| Who gets HPV? |
| • |
Approximately 8 out of 10 sexually active females become infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime. |
|
| |
| Most women are exposed to HPV during their late teens and early twenties4 |
| • |
The virus can infect both men and women |
| • |
Most people who have HPV infection may not show any signs or symptoms, and can transmit the virus without knowing it |
| • |
Most women will only discover they have been infected with HPV when they have an abnormal smear test result3 |
|
| |
| Is HPV contagious? |
| • |
HPV is highly contagious and is passed from person to person by sexual, skin-to-skin genital contact; – this does not necessarily need to be full sexual intercourse |
|
|
| References: |
| 1 |
|
Pagliusi S, Aguado T. Efficacy and other milestones for Human Papillomavirus vaccine
introduction. Vaccine 2004; 23: 569-578. |
| 2 |
|
Wieland U, Pfister H. Papillomavirus in human pathology. Epidemiology, pathogenesis and oncogenic role. Gross, Barrasso Eds Human Papillomavirus infection. A clinical atlas. Ullstein
Mosby. 1997; 1-18 |
| 3 |
|
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital HPV infection fact sheet.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm. (accessed July 2006) |
| 4 |
|
Sanofi Pasteur MSD. Data on file 2006 |
|
|
|
| |
|
In partnership with Sanofi Pasteur MSD UK 11260 12/07. |
|
|
| |
