HPV -human papillomavirus

Filed in archive Sexual Health on February 3, 2007

I've heard of syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and, of course, AIDS. However I'd never heard of HPV until I read the following news article from CBC News Canada:

Immunize females aged 9 to 26 against HPV: advisory committee
Females between nine and 26 should be routinely vaccinated against human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer, says Canada's expert advisory panel on immunization.

Ever curious, I went on a web search and found another mention of HPV on a blog called Our Bodies, Ourselves.

On Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. ET, Kaiser Network is hosting an Ask the Experts webcast concerning implementation of the new vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV). Send questions in advance to ask@kaisernetwork.org.

The live webcast will focus on questions such as: What are the guidelines for who should get the vaccine and at what age? Who will pay for it? What is the best way to ensure access to the vaccine? Kaisernetwork.org Managing Editor Jill Braden Balderas, M.P.H., will moderate the discussion. The panel of experts includes:

Women's Health at About.com makes this rather startling statement:

Twenty-four million Americans may have the human papillomavirus (HPV), yet more than 76 percent of women in the United States have never heard of this sexually transmitted virus which causes virtually 100 percent of all cervical cancers.

I would love to hear readers' opinions on HPV. Had you heard of it? Should an immunization plan be put into action? What do you think?