HPV Toolkit: Young Adults
HPV Fact Zone
Did you know that young adults aged 20-24 are at the highest risk for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)? A recent study showed that one in four girls aged 14-19 studied had an sexually transmitted disease (STD), with HPV being the most common STD. No one wants to think it could happen to them. HPV often has no detectable symptoms and yet, it can lead to serious consequences such as cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, and lung cancer. HPV can be spread with just skin-to-skin contact. You can lower your risk by avoiding sexual activity with infected persons (keep in mind that most people who have HPV do not know it). There is also a vaccine that can help to protect uninfected women from the types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancer and 90% of genital wart cases. Making informed health choices is part of becoming an independent adult. The information below can help you to determine if the HPV vaccine is right for you.