What Is The Prevalence Of Human Papillomavirus In The United States?

Some Statistics on HPV in the United States

Human papillomavirus or HPV is an infection that can affect men and women and can be passed on by both men and women. There are over 40 different strands of the virus/infection and it causes different types of warts and can also cause cervical cancer. Roughly 20 million people in the United States have HPV, which is a calculated 15% of the total population.

HPV Prevalence in Women and Men in the United States

Studies have shown that more than half of those cases are high-risk and there are approximately five to six million people who contract it each year in the United States. It appears that a large amount of the nearly six million people who acquire it each year appear to be younger females, under 25 years of age. Although, 80 percent of women are likely to get the infection before they are 50 years old. But that's not to say that men are not as likely to get it. Another study conducted by the American Cancer Society showed that in 2007 there were approximately 11,000 people diagnosed with cervical cancer .

It is Possible to have HPV and Not Know It

One study found that approximately 50 percent of the United States population had at least one form of HPV and were unaware of it. It also stated that everyone who has had sexual intercourse at least one time can be at risk for contracting the virus. That is partially the cause of that statistic.

Action is Needed

Ways to help the decreasing prevalence of this virus can be simple if people decide to take action. People who are more sexually active should get tested regularly, especially when they are suspicious that there can be something wrong. There are safer practices that can used in order to slow down the spread of this sexually transmitted disease. Before becoming sexually active with someone, it would be in both people's best interest to talk about each other's history and if there were any complications in the past. If people are willing to get tested, treated and make smart choices to not be sexually active with people who are infected or when they have an outbreak, the amount of people who carry HPV can decrease in the United States.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/2004HPV%20Report.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/common-questions.htm

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