HPV infection is:
The correct answer is all of the above. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Over 40 types affect the genitals and put you at risk for cancer. Talk to your doctor about how to protect yourself from HPV.
HPV can lead to the following cancers:
The correct answer is all of the above. Most HPV infections don't lead to cancer. But some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. If you are age 45 or younger, talk with your doctor about getting a vaccine to prevent HPV.
Signs of HPV include:
The correct answer is all of the above. HPV is best known for causing genital warts. When present, genital warts rarely cause any symptoms. Around one half of people infected with HPV have no genital warts. So you could have HPV and not know it. If you are sexually active, talk with your doctor about HPV screening.
Using latex condoms correctly completely prevents you from catching or spreading HPV:
The correct answer is false. Condoms may not fully protect you because the virus can spread to the areas of the genitals not covered by the condom. However, condoms do greatly reduce the risk, so you should still use them when you have sex.
HPV vaccines can protect you from getting some forms of cancer.
The correct answer is true. The HPV vaccine helps prevent 9 types of HPVs that can cause cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, throat, and penile cancer. It also helps protect against genital warts. Talk to your doctor about whether these vaccines are right for you.
HPV vaccines are only available for girls and women.
The correct answer is false. The HPV vaccine is approved for use in boys and young men from age 9 through 45. The vaccine protects against throat, penile, and anal cancers. It also helps protect against genital warts. Talk to your doctor about how to get vaccinated.
If you do not have genital warts, there is no way to diagnose HPV infection.
The correct answer is false. Your health care provider can look for signs of HPV infection during a pelvic exam or send a sample of tissue to be tested for HPV. Pap smear results may sometimes show signs of HPV infection. Even if you don’t have symptoms of HPV, it’s important to get screened for the disease.
Doctors can get rid of HPV warts in the following ways:
The correct answer is all of the above. If your warts don’t disappear, your doctor can prescribe medication or physically remove the warts by freezing them, burning them, surgically removing them or using laser treatments. Talk to your doctor to find the right treatment for you.
HPV can't be spread unless you have visible warts.
The correct answer is false. Experts believe that when a wart is present, the virus may be more easily spread, but HPV can still be spread even without any visible warts. Avoid having sex until you have finished treatment and any warts have healed. Always use a condom when you have sex.
An HPV action plan should include:
The correct answer is all of the above. All of these steps are important to help prevent the spread of HPV.