Who Gets HPV

Find out what you can do to help prevent the transmission of HPV

HPV could happen to you

Human papillomavirus (HPV) doesn't care who you are. If you're having skin-to-skin contact with another person's genitals, you could get HPVGenital HPV (human papillomavirus)About 30 types of HPV are known as genital HPV since they affect the genital area.
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See Full Glossary at any time. When it comes to the transmission of HPV, the facts speak for themselves:

  • HPV is easily spread. Any contact with someone who has it puts you at risk.
  • 80% of women will have had HPV by the time they're 50.* For most women the virus will clear on its own, but when it doesn't, cervical cancer can develop.
  • Transmission of HPV happens to many people during their first 2 to 3 years of sexual contact.
  • Even if you already have a certain type of HPV, you could still be at risk for other types of HPV.

*Number represents more than 30 genital HPV types, not just HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GARDASIL

GARDASIL is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. GARDASIL is for girls and young women ages 9 to 26.

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it’s important to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL does not treat cervical cancer or genital warts. GARDASIL will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months.

SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL, including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL is not for women who are pregnant.

The side effects include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Sometimes fainting is accompanied by falling with injury, as well as shaking or stiffening and other seizure-like activity. Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing Information for GARDASIL.



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This site is intended only for residents of the United States, its territories, and Puerto Rico.
GARDASIL is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
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