A virus that is the cause of warts of the hands and feet, as well as lesions of the mucous membranes of the oral, anal and genital cavities. More than 50 types of HPV have been identified, some of which are associated with cancerous and precancerous conditions. The virus can be transmitted through sexual contact and is a precursor to cancer of the cervix. There is no specific cure for an HPV infection, but the virus often can be controlled by podophyllin (medicine derived from the roots of the plant Podophyllum peltatum) or interferon, and the warts can be removed by cryosurgery, laser treatment or conventional surgery. Some scientitsts believe HPV can "clear" out of the body.
CDC Report to Congress, Prevention of HPV and cervical cancer, July 2004
Dear Colleagues:
Genital HPV infections are estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States (U.S.), with roughly 5.5 million persons becoming newly infected each year. Although the majority of infections cause no symptoms, are self-limited, and go away on their own without clinical consequences, genital HPV is of public health concern because persistent infection with certain high-risk types can cause cervical cancer in women. Fortunately, cervical cancer is an uncommon consequence of HPV, especially if women are screened for cancer regularly with Papanicolaou (Pap) tests and followed up with appropriate treatment, and in the past 40 years, widespread cervical cancer screening using the Pap test and treatment of precancerous cervical abnormalities have resulted in a dramatic decrease in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the U.S. However, in spite of the success of prevention programs, cervical cancer remains an important health issue for women in the U.S., with an estimated 12,200 new cases and 4,100 deaths from cervical cancer occurring each year.
To describe the current state of the science on the prevention of genital HPV infections and its associated diseases of genital warts and cervical cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently prepared a Report to Congress. The report, entitled the Prevention of Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, describes key aspects of the epidemiology of genital HPV infection and its transmission and reviews strategies for the prevention of genital HPV and its associated diseases. Based on this critical review, the report recommends individual and public health strategies to prevent genital HPV infection and the important complication of cervical cancer.
The National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) is pleased to share the enclosed report with you and your constituents. Key recommendations from the report are as follows:
Priorities for Public Health Agencies
- Promote increased cervical cancer screening of never- and rarely screened women and appropriate follow-up for those with abnormal Pap tests.
- Work with public and private partners to increase awareness among health care providers and the general public about prevention of genital HPV infection and cervical cancer.
- Collaborate with private industry to promote and accelerate the development of a safe and effective HPV vaccine.
- Continue epidemiologic, laboratory, and behavioral research on genital HPV infection, including studies of the prevalence of HPV in the United States,
- Research on the attitudes and concerns of women diagnosed with HPV infection (e.g., concerns about cancer or about transmission), and surveys of provider knowledge and practices regarding HPV.
- Regular cervical cancer screening for all sexually active women and treatment of precancerous lesions remain the key strategy to prevent cervical cancer.
- The surest way to eliminate the risk for future genital HPV infections is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual. For those who choose to be sexually active, a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is the strategy most likely to prevent genital HPV infections. However, it is difficult to determine whether a partner who has been sexually active is currently infected. For those choosing to be sexually active and who are not in long-term mutually monogamous relationships, reducing the number of sex partners and choosing a partner less likely to be infected may reduce the risk of genital HPV infection. Partners less likely to be infected include those who have had no or few sex partners.
- While available scientific evidence suggests that the effect of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with lower rates of the HPV-associated diseases of genital warts and cervical cancer. The available scientific evidence is not sufficient to recommend condoms as a primary prevention strategy for the prevention of genital HPV infection. There is evidence that indicates that the use of condoms may reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
- In the future, receiving a safe and effective HPV vaccine to help prevent genital HPV infection, as well as the HPV-associated diseases of genital warts and cervical cancer, would be an important prevention measure. However, an effective HPV vaccine would not replace other prevention strategies.
