Most Women Infected with HPV are Unaware of the Infection

Most women infected with HPV are unaware of the infection; most women infected with HPV will fight off the infection over some period of time, becoming HPV-free with no adverse health effects. Some, however, will go on to develop abnormalities in their reproductive areas, which can progress to become abnormal growths which need to be removed surgically; some will become actual cancers. In the early stages, abnormal cells can be detected by the Pap Test; other tests include testing for HPV types. Doing both tests increases the diagnostic accuracy.

Worldwide, the problem is much greater--indeed, cervical cancer is the fifth leading cancer killer in the under-developed world. Reliable estimates are that almost 500,000 cases of cervical cancer occur, and about 250,000 women die from this disease, each year.

The vaccine is effective only if given before infection with the dangerous HPV strains occurs. That is why it should be given to pre-teens and young teens. In fact, HPV is so communicable that, unlike some other STI's, it can be transmitted by close contact without intercourse. That explains why infection with HPV is so common.