Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine research focuses on the prevention of diseases, such as cervical cancer and genital warts, caused by sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses.

Of the more than 120 known HPV types, 37 are known to be transmitted through sexual contact.

Infection with sexually transmitted HPVs is very common in adult populations worldwide.

Although a few HPVs, such as types 6 and 11, can cause genital warts, most genital HPV infections come and go without ever causing any symptoms.

However, lingering infections with a subset of about 19 "high-risk" HPV types can lead to the development of cervical cancer or other genital/anal cancers..

For more information about the topic HPV vaccine, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

HPV — Papillomaviruses are a diverse group of DNA-based viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans and a variety of animals (replicating ...  > read more

Pap smear — In gynecology, the Papanikolaou test or Papanicolaou test (also called Pap smear, Pap test, cervical smear, or smear test) is a medical screening ...  > read more

Cervical cancer — Cervical cancer is a malignancy of the cervix. Worldwide, it is the second most common cancer of women. It may present with vaginal bleeding but ...  > read more

Sexually transmitted disease — Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) also known as sexually transmissible diseases, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or (infrequently) venereal ...  > read more

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HPV Vaccine Studied For First Time In Men (November 26, 2004) — A vaccine designed to protect against the most common causes of genital warts and cervical and penile cancer is now being evaluated in young ...  > read more

HPV Infection Common Among American Females (February 28, 2007) — Data from a national study suggests that about one in four U.S. females between the ages of 14 and 59 years may have the sexually transmitted infection human papillomarivus (HPV), according to a ...  > read more

Study Reveals High Infection Rate In Teens For Virus Linked To Cervical Cancer (January 18, 2005) — More sexually active adolescent females than previously thought may be infected with a virus linked to cervical cancer and genital warts, according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of The ...  > read more

Parents' Guide To Understanding HPV Vaccine (August 15, 2007) — Many parents are still divided over a new vaccine that can provide protection against human papillomavirus, or HPV, a very common sexually transmitted disease that is linked to cervical cancer and ...  > read more

New HPV Vaccine Under Study (November 20, 2007) — A new vaccine against nine of the most harmful strains of human papillomavirus is under study. The vaccine, called nine-valent, is being compared with Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine already on the ...  > read more

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