According to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV. [1]https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
More than 90% of new HPV infections, including those caused by high-risk HPV types, clear or become undetectable within 2 years, and clearance usually occurs in the first 6 months after infection. [2]https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/chpt05-hpv.html
There is no treatment for the HPV virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause: [3]https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/treatment.htm
- Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider or with prescription medication. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.
- Cervical precancer can be treated. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment.
- Other HPV-related cancers are also more treatable when diagnosed and treated early.