MIAMI – It’s a common virus that can cause cancers later in life.
The CDC says nearly everyone not vaccinated against human papillomavirus will get it at some point in their lives.
But when it comes to this virus, there are a lot of misconceptions.
In the U.S., more than 42 million people are infected with types of HPV that can cause disease.
Most HPV infections will go away by themselves, but others last longer and can cause some cancers.
Electra Paskett with the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center says the first HPV misconception is that only women get the virus.
“Eighty percent of people who have ever had sexual intercourse will have been infected with HPV,” she said.
In fact, every year in the U.S., HPV causes about 36,000 cases of up to six different cancers in both men and women, including cervical, penal, anal and cancers in the back of the throat.
Myth two is that HPV infections cause symptoms.
Paskett says most people will not have signs of the virus unless it progresses to cancer.
Myth three is there’s a cure for HPV. While treatments are available, there’s currently no cure for the virus itself.
The fourth myth is that the HPV vaccine is only for girls.
The HPV vaccine is a routine vaccination recommended for all children at age 11 or 12 or through age 26 if not adequately vaccinated when younger.
Finally, there is a myth that the HPV vaccine isn’t safe and effective.
Paskett says research shows that’s not true.
“For many years, the American public has been wanting a cancer vaccine,” she said. “We have a cancer vaccine. Let’s get it.”