Medway Sexual Health logo

What is HPV?

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the name for a group of around 100 different types of viruses that affect the cervix (neck of the womb), anus, mouth and throat. You can be infected with more than one type of HPV.

What are the symptoms?

Most women have a HPV infection at some time during their lives without knowing and without it causing harm. Your immune system usually gets rid of it. However, infection with some types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells, which can lead to cervical cancer. In the UK, cervical cancer is the 12th most common women's cancer.

Infection with other forms of HPV can cause genital warts, common skin warts and verrucas.

How can I prevent it?

Having sex just once could expose you to the risk of genital HPV infection, so all sexually active women are at risk of having HPV. Having a large number of sexual partners will increase your risk of becoming infected, as will starting to have sex at a young age.

Using condoms can help you to prevent getting a genital HPV infection. However, condoms do not cover the entire genital area, which means HPV can still be passed on even if you use a condom.

What is the HPV vaccination?

The HPV vaccine, called Cervarix or the cervical cancer jab, protects women from two types of HPV that cause around 70% of cervical cancers. There is a national programme to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 against HPV.

The HPV vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle of your upper arm, or thigh. Three injections are needed during a six month period. Vaccination will usually take place at your secondary school.

What if I'm over 13 years old?

A catch up campaign is running until 2011 that will offer the HPV vaccine to 13-18 year old girls. If you haven't had your vaccine, see your GP as soon as possible.