Making Sense of HPV

ABSTRACTHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the country's most common sexually transmitted infection. An estimated 75% of the reproductive-age population will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Patients diagnosed with HPV should understand that the virus is most often transient, but persistent infection with high-risk HPV can lead to cervical cancer. A laboratory test for HPV detection is available, but clinicians should only use it for routine screening in women over 30 because HPV is so prevalent in the younger population. Condoms provide only modest protection against HPV transmission. The information clinicians provide to patients about HPV can help reduce anxiety and ensure compliance with appropriate follow-up.