Blog: 5 Things You Might Not Know About HPV
Published: July 11, 2025
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of related viruses that can affect different parts of the body and lead to serious infections and cancers, but many people don’t realize some important facts about the virus. Here are five HPV facts you might not have known:
- HPV is more common than you think.
Nearly 13 million people get infected with HPV every year in the United States. In fact, it’s the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States with most people in the U.S. (8 out of every 10) being infected with HPV at some point in their lives. HPV is often passed through sexual or other skin-to-skin contact. While most people will get HPV, the body typically clears the disease on its own. However, for some people, HPV will instead lead to harmful diseases or cancers down the line.
- There is more than one type of HPV.
HPV doesn’t consist of a single strain. There are actually more than 200 types of HPV. While most strains don’t cause any health problems, some strains do. Low-risk strains, like HPV 6 and HPV 11, are associated with genital and oral warts (papillomas). Higher-risk strains, like HPV 16 and HPV 18, are most commonly associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. The six HPV-related cancers include anal, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, oropharyngeal (back of the throat), and other head and neck cancers.
- HPV-related throat cancers are on the rise — especially among men.
Fewer people have smoked cigarettes in recent years, contributing to the decline of smoking-related throat cancers. Instead, there has been an increase in the number of HPV-related throat cancers, particularly among men in their 50s and 60s. Currently, there is no routine screening test that can be used to detect HPV in the throat, and HPV-related cancers often don’t show early signs or symptoms.
- HPV can lead to rare diseases and infections like Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis.
You may know that HPV can cause certain cancers. But you may not know that HPV can also cause rare diseases that can be just as deadly or life-altering. Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, or RRP, is a rare HPV-related disease in which tumors grow in the respiratory tract (the organs that are involved in breathing). RRP is typically passed to the baby from an infected mother during childbirth. It starts around the larynx or vocal cords but can spread to other parts of the respiratory tract, including the lungs. There is currently no cure for RRP, and patients often need multiple surgeries because tumors often grow back even after surgical removal.
- The HPV vaccine is the best defense against HPV-related infections and cancers.
Getting the HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and people you love against HPV, including the cancers and genital warts that the virus can cause. Health experts recommend that both boys and girls get the HPV vaccine starting at ages 9-11. At these ages, children only need two doses of the vaccine and it produces a stronger immune response in children that age. Plus, HPV vaccination works best when a person gets the vaccine long before they become sexually active and come into contact with the virus. Starting at age 15, males and females need three doses of the vaccine. After age 26, people should talk with their doctor about getting the HPV vaccine.
The All for Them team can give you more information about the HPV vaccine and help you find a free or low-cost vaccination clinic for your child. Call us at 866-255-1811 or visit AllForThemVaccines.com.
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