Changes

Chronic infection with "high risk" strains may lead to the development of cervical, anal, or penile cancer.  Because these cancers take many years to develop (and can have many other causes), regular screening is advisable even for women who consider themselves to be within a low risk population.

Chronic infection with "high risk" strains may lead to the development of cervical, anal, or penile cancer.  Because these cancers take many years to develop (and can have many other causes), regular screening is advisable even for women who consider themselves to be within a low risk population.

HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease.  Population studies testing for the presence of antibodies against viral proteins suggest a lifetime prevalence of at least 75% among American women.  These numbers are surprisingly consistent across all demographics examined.

HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease.  Population studies testing for the presence of antibodies against viral proteins suggest that around 75% of American women will be infected with at least one sexually transmitted strain of the virus at some point in their lives.  These numbers are surprisingly consistent across all demographics examined.

[[Merck]] has developed a [[vaccine]] against the four most prevalent sexually transmitted strains of HPV; see [[Gardasil]].

[[Merck]] has developed a [[vaccine]] against the four most prevalent sexually transmitted strains of HPV; see [[Gardasil]].  [[GlaxoSmithKline]] later released its own vaccine, Cervarix, which protects against the two most prevalent high risk strains.  Both vaccines are manufactured using recombinant viral capsid proteins.