HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, actually refers to more than 100 different viruses, some of which can be precursors to cervical or other gynecologic, anal, penile and oropharyngeal cancers. Possible symptoms of an HPV infection include genital warts, which are easily detected – but in the case of cervical cancer, often there will not be any symptoms until the disease has reached a more advanced stage. Routine cervical cancer screening can help ensure that HPV-related cancers are detected and treated at an early stage. In addition, the CDC now recommends that children receive the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12, before they may be exposed to the virus. This vaccine is administered in a three-step series, with the second dose provided approximately one or two months after the first and a third dose provided six months after the first shot was received.
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