Children's Comprehensive Health Guide

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How Long Does It Take For STD Symptoms To Show?

STDs, or STIs, usually pass from person to person through sexual contact. In most cases, a person can get an STI test within a few weeks of exposure.

Each STI has its own incubation period, which is how long it takes for symptoms to appear. In some cases, it can take months for an STI to show up on tests. In other cases, it may only take days.

This article explores the incubation periods of different STIs, how soon people can get tested, and the importance of testing.

The incubation period is how long it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure. The window period is how long it takes to get a positive test result for the infection after exposure. These periods are often similar.

Some general symptoms that indicate a person might have an STI include:

genital itching or burning

pain during intercourse or urination

a new or unusual discharge

bumps or growths on or around the genitals

a foul smell coming from the genitals or after sex

However, some STIs do not cause symptoms for many years, even though a person can still get a positive test result. This is why it is important to rely on testing, not just symptoms.

In most cases, a person can get an STI test within a few weeks of exposure. If a person has a curable STI, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, they may need a retest after treatment.

People at high risk of certain STIs should ask for a retest, even after a negative result. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend annual HIV testing for people at risk, such as those whose partners have HIV or people who share needles.

The testing window for common STIs is as follows:

HIV

A nucleic acid test analyzes a blood sample for HIV. It can indicate a positive result 10–33 days after exposure. The antigen/antibody test, also a blood test, looks for HIV antibodies. It also looks for an antigen that the body produces before antibodies appear. It can get results 18–45 days after exposure.

The antibody test uses a blood or saliva sample to look for HIV antibodies. It takes the longest to get a reliable result, at 23–90 days after exposure. A person can be confident they do not have HIV if they get a negative test during the window period and have no subsequent contact with someone who could have the virus.

Chlamydia

A doctor can test for chlamydia by swabbing the vagina, cervix, rectum, or throat, or by taking a urine sample. If symptoms appear, they usually present within 7–21 days of exposure. A test can normally detect chlamydia within 1–2 weeks of exposure.

Gonorrhea

A doctor can test for gonorrhea with a urine sample. In some cases, they may also swab the urethra, anus, throat, or cervix to get a more reliable result.

Most tests can detect the infection within 5 days to 2 weeks of exposure. If a test is negative shortly after exposure, a doctor may recommend retesting 2 weeks later, particularly if a person has symptoms.

Gonorrhea symptoms usually appear from 1 day to 2 weeks after exposure.

Herpes

Herpes symptoms usually appear quickly. On average, they present 4 days after exposure, and the typical range is 2–12 days. In some cases, however, symptoms can be so mild that a person does not notice them.

A blood test can confirm a herpes diagnosis. The test may be positive within a month, and by 4 months, blood testing finds most cases.

HPV

While it is possible for males to pass human papillomavirus (HPV) on to a partner, the CDC have not approved a male test. Instead, doctors may test for symptoms of the relatively rare cancers that HPV can cause, including penile cancer.

In females, HPV rarely causes symptoms. If there are indications, they could appear months or years later. The most reliable test is a Pap smear, which involves swabbing the cervix. This can detect HPV 3 weeks to a few months after exposure.

Hepatitis

In some cases, hepatitis B and C may not cause any obvious symptoms for years. If they do appear, hepatitis B usually produces signs within 6 weeks to 6 months. Hepatitis C symptoms may appear as early as 2–6 weeks, but can sometimes take as long as 6 months.

A blood test can look for both types of hepatitis. The hepatitis B testing window is 3–6 weeks, while the hepatitis C testing window is 2–6 months. Early testing at 2 months may miss some cases, so a doctor may recommend retesting at 6 months.

Trichomoniasis

A doctor can test for trichomoniasis with a swab of the rectum, penis, or vagina. Many people do not have symptoms, but some may notice a discharge or burning sensation within 5–28 days of exposure. It is possible to get a positive test within a week of exposure, though some people need to wait up to a month.

Syphilis

Syphilis usually begins with a sore on the genitals called a chancre. Blood tests can detect the bacteria within 1–2 weeks after the chancre appears. Chancres are typically painless and usually develop within 3 weeks of exposure, so the total testing window is about 4 weeks.

Because the development of syphilis varies from person to person, doctors often recommend retesting about 3 months after exposure.

Some STIs live in the body for many years without triggering any symptoms. Doctors may refer to them as dormant, meaning a person can never diagnose themselves based on symptoms alone.

This also means if a person is untested, they can unknowingly pass a dormant STI on to a sexual partner.

Examples of STI that can lay dormant include HIV, herpes, hepatitis C, chlamydia, syphilis, and HPV

The CDC recommend that all sexually-active adults with new or multiple partners seek testing for most STIs at least once per year.

STI testing, even for incurable infections, can save lives. It also slows the spread of STIs. Some benefits of testing are below:

Some STIs are easier to treat if a doctor catches them early.

Early STI testing can prevent a person from spreading an infection to their partners.

A person can have an STI without knowing it.

Some untreated STIs can cause serious health issues, such as cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease.

The right STI testing depends on many factors, including a person's medical history, sexual history, risk of exposure, and prior history of STI tests.

It is important for people to regularly test for STIs, particularly if they have sex with multiple partners.

Early detection can make treatment easier and possibly prevent serious health issues. To reduce the risk of STIs, people should also practice safer sex techniques, such as using a condom.

Signs And Symptoms Of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), now referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that are spread through sexual contact. There are several different types of STIs and each one has its own unique set of symptoms. Some STIs do share some symptoms, however, which may include burning or pain while peeing or discomfort in the vagina and penis.

Some symptoms of STIs come on quickly while others take weeks or even months to develop. In some cases, certain STIs may cause symptoms that flare up and then improve over time. It's worth noting that some STIs don't produce symptoms at all, but can cause serious injury over time. If you are sexually active with new or multiple partners, most healthcare providers recommend regular STI testing to be safe.

Chlamydia is a common STI that you can treat with medication. This infection is serious and can damage the female reproductive system over time. If you have chlamydia, you may also be at an increased risk of having an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus). Chlamydia does not usually cause symptoms in people assigned female at birth. However, it is possible to start experiencing symptoms once the infection has damaged the reproductive system. Signs of damage include: However, people assigned male at birth are more likely to experience symptoms. Chlamydia may cause: Discharge from penis Burning sensation while peeing Pain and swelling in the testicles In some cases, it's possible to have a chlamydia infection in the rectum (a tube that connects your colon to your anus). When this occurs, it can cause rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding. Gonorrhea is a common and treatable STI. People ages 15 to 24 are most at risk of developing this infection. Gonorrhea does not usually cause symptoms but it can seriously damage the reproductive symptom. People assigned female at birth do not usually have gonorrhea symptoms. If this infection does cause symptoms, they are usually very mild and may include: If people assigned male at birth have symptoms, they may include: Burning with urination White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis Painful or swollen testicles A gonorrhea infection in the rectum may cause rectal discharge, itching, bleeding, soreness, and pain with bowel movements. Genital herpes is a common STI that is caused by two viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Unfortunately, there is no cure for genital herpes, but you can manage the condition with medication. Most people with this infection have very mild symptoms or none at all. If you develop this STI, you'll likely have blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The blisters are usually small and may resemble a pimple or ingrown hair. During a herpes outbreak (a period when symptoms are active), the blisters break open and leave painful sores. Usually, it can take a week or more for the sores to heal. It is also possible to experience flu-like symptoms during an outbreak, such as fever, body aches, and swollen glands. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States. This infection causes genital warts and may eventually lead to cancers that affect the cervix, penis, vagina, or vulva over time. Fortunately, HPV and its related cancers can be preventable with the HPV vaccine. Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms and don't even know they have the infection. When HPV causes symptoms, warts develop on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. People assigned female at birth may learn that they have HPV from an abnormal pap smear or pelvic exam result. Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) is a curable STI that is caused by a bacterial infection. This infection can develop in the cervix (the opening to the uterus), the penis, or the rectum. Many people with Mgen do not have symptoms. However, if symptoms do develop. They often look similar to the symptoms of other common STIs. People assigned female at birth may experience abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation while peeing. People assigned male at birth may notice penile discharge or pain during urination. Syphilis is a curable STI that develops in stages. This is a serious infection that can affect all areas of the body and requires treatment right away. In the primary stage, syphilis may cause a single sore (or multiple sores) on or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, or mouth. The sores are usually firm and round. They do not cause pain, but generally last for about three to six weeks. If left untreated, syphilis can move to the second stage. Secondary-stage symptoms may include: After the secondary stage, syphilis moves to the latent phase—meaning you have no active signs or symptoms of the infection. But over time, latent syphilis can turn into the tertiary stage. Reaching the last stage is rare because most people seek treatment before it develops. In the tertiary stage, the virus has spread throughout the body, which may cause the following complications: Trichomoniasis is a common STI that is caused by a parasitic infection. If you develop this infection, you can treat it with medication. It is estimated that up to 70% of people with trichomoniasis have no signs or symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms can have varying symptoms that range from mild irritation to severe inflammation. Symptoms usually develop within five to 28 days after contracting the infection. However, symptoms can sometimes develop months later as well. People assigned female at birth may experience: Itching, burning, or redness around the vagina Pain with urination Abnormal vaginal discharge that is clear, white, yellow, or green and has a fishy smell People assigned male at birth may experience: Itching or irritation on or in the penis Burning with urination or ejaculation Penile discharge When a pregnant person has an STI, the infection may affect the baby. An STI in a pregnant person raises the risk of premature labor, preterm birth, and uterine infection. Both syphilis and HIV can cross the placenta and affect an unborn baby. A pregnant person may pass gonorrhea, chlamydia, or genital herpes to the baby during childbirth. When a newborn is exposed to an STI, they may develop several serious symptoms including: If you are concerned that you may have an STI while pregnant, see your healthcare provider right away. Many STIs can be safely treated during pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications for your baby. STIs can affect the male and female reproductive systems in different ways. Certain STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, cause damage to the female reproductive system and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a serious condition that can cause infertility in people assigned female at birth, which often develops when a person has an untreated STI. It is estimated that 10% to 15% of people assigned female at birth with chlamydia go on to develop PID. PID may cause several symptoms including: Lower abdominal pain Fever Foul-smelling vaginal discharge Pain or bleeding with sex Burning while peeing Vaginal bleeding between periods People assigned male at birth rarely experience long-term problems from chlamydia. But in rare cases, the infection can lead to infertility. STIs are common and rising—and some STIs lead to serious damage over time. That's why it's especially important to see your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of an STI or learn that you were exposed to one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual STI screenings for all people who are sexually active. It's also important to get tested if you have a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, or a partner with an active STI. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) spread through sexual contact. Some STIs do not cause symptoms at all. But if you do develop symptoms, common symptoms of an STI may include pain in or around the genitals, sores or rashes, and burning while peeing. Untreated STIs can lead to serious complications and even infertility. If you develop any possible STI symptoms, see your healthcare provider right away to reduce the risk of complications.

Guide To Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Reported cases of sexually transmitted infections in the United States have been on the rise in the past two decades,…

Reported cases of sexually transmitted infections in the United States have been on the rise in the past two decades, and rates in the U.S. Are among the highest in high-income countries globally. Approximately, 1 in 5 people in the U.S. Had an STI at any given day in 2018, according to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"One of the root causes for this extraordinarily high prevalence and very high morbidity related to these diseases is because of stigma," says Dr. Edward W. Hook III, an emeritus professor of medicine of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Getting comfortable talking about sex and all that comes with it — the good, bad and the ugly — is important to breaking down the stigma.

[SEE: 13 Tips for a Mammogram.]

What Are STDs?

Although the terms sexually transmitted diseases and STIs are often used interchangeably, they don't exactly mean the same thing.

An STD refers to the actual disease state that develops due to infection — meaning the infection causes damage to the body and/or leads to illness, whereas an STI refers to a pathogen that enters the body and causes infection through sexual contact, such as genital sex, oral sex or anal sex.

STDs can be stigmatizing because they're not necessarily always diseases and don't always end in bad outcomes, says Dr. Patricia Kissinger, a professor of epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

"It's less stigmatizing to call it STI rather than STD," Kissinger says.

Some STIs can be transmitted from mother to child, as well. When that happens, the pregnant person acquires the infection through sex, then they can also pass it on to their child.

"They can spread rarely through intimate physical contact and body fluid exchange," says Dr. George Jour, a board-certified pathologist affiliated with NYU Langone Hospitals in New York and Cooper University Health Center in Camden, New Jersey, and advisory board member and clinical consultant at Innovative Health Diagnostics, a lab that offers at-home STD tests.

[SEE: Health Screenings You Need Now.]

Symptoms of STIs

Symptoms of STI vary. They can range from completely asymptomatic, meaning no visible symptoms, to genital skin manifestation.

Symptoms of the most common STIs may include:

— Rednesss, especially sudden redness of the vulva or vagina, and possibly new swelling or rash.

— Vesicles, papules or warty lesions that can be itchy, burning, red and oozing or can present as ulcerated and non-painful lesions.

— Secretion, or discharge, of fluid from the genitals.

— Burning during urination.

— Fever, especially accompanied by pelvic pain.

— Sore throat, particularly after oral sex.

— Suddenly enlarged lymph nodes in the groin.

[SEE: Breast Cancer Symptoms.]

Types of STIs

There are more than 30 different bacteria, viruses and protozoans for which sexual transmission is the main mechanism of transmission.

Other infections that are sometimes transmitted through sex include the Zika virus, Ebola virus or mpox, but they are not considered STIs.

Common types of STIs include:

— Chlamydia.

— Gonorrhea.

— Syphilis.

— Herpes.

— HPV.

— HIV.

— Hepatitis A, B and C.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI in the United States, Hook says. However, that's not a new trend. According to the CDC, chlamydia has made up the largest reported number of STIs in the U.S. Since 1994.

Chlamydia is largely asymptomatic in both sexes. Therefore, STI screening, which typically happens during either an annual reproductive health visit or primary care visit, is important for diagnosing this infection.

Untreated chlamydia can lead to both short- and long-term health complications. In women, untreated chlamydia can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease. PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy, which is when the egg fertilizes outside of the uterus and can cause life-threatening internal bleeding, damage to surrounding organs and/or death to the fetus. Because of its prevalence and potential health complications, chlamydia is often routinely tested for in any sexually active adult.

Gonorrhea

In 2020, the most recent year for which there's comprehensively reported surveillance data available, the CDC reported nearly 680,000 cases of gonorrhea in the U.S., making it the second most common STI in the U.S.

Similar to chlamydia, gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that often exhibits no signs or symptoms of infection but is easily treated. It's also routinely tested for because of how common it is.

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious health problems, according to the CDC. In women, untreated gonorrhea can cause PID, which may lead to complications like scar tissue that blocks the fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy or infertility. In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to your testicles or sterility in rare cases.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a genital ulcerative disease, meaning you'll likely have visible sores on your body. Sores occur where the infection entered your body, which could be in, on or around your genital area, anus or rectum and the lips or mouth. It can also cause lesions on the palms and feet, even while patients do not "feel sick". Unfortunately, this infection is on the rise again, and it can lie dormant for a while.

Without treatment, syphilis can progress to what's called "tertiary syphilis" and affect different organs in your body, including the heart, blood vessels, the brain and nervous system, which can result in death. According to the CDC, most people with syphilis do not go on to develop tertiary-stage syphilis, and in cases where it does occur, it's typically 10 to 30 years after your initial infection. Because of its increased prevalence, it is recommended that even basic STI testing includes an RPR, the screening test for syphilis.

Herpes

Herpes is categorized into two types: genital herpes and oral herpes. Herpes affects the peripheral nervous system by injecting its genetic code directly into the nucleus of a neuron and instructing cells to produce more herpes viruses.

Herpes is often asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Herpes presents physically as sores, usually as one or more blisters in or around the mouth, genitals or rectum. You can treat symptoms of herpes with medicines that prevent or shorten outbreaks, but you can't cure it. The infection remains in the neurons and will manifest when a person is stressed. Some people experience recurrent outbreaks and take suppressive antiviral medication.

STI blood testing is optional for herpes. Type 1 herpes simplex, which most often results in the cold sore symptoms, is very common. Type 2 herpes simplex is more often a genital infection and can be pretty severe. Many adults have positive antibodies for type 1 and many for type 2 herpes simplex, even without previous symptoms.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

There are approximately 150 types of HPV identified, at least 40 of which can cause infections to the genital area, according to the CDC. A majority of HPV infections are asymptomatic, showing no signs of infection.

HPV is thought to be responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer, about 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers and 60% of penile cancers, according to the CDC. HPV types 16 and 18 cause a majority of cervical, penile, vulvar, vaginal, anal and oropharyngeal cancers and precancers.

HPV was extraordinarily widespread until the development of a vaccine. Prior to the vaccine, an estimated 80% to 90% of the population would have one or more HPV infections during their lifetime, Hook says. Only a tiny percentage — less than 1% — would go on to develop cancer, he adds.

"The vaccine is highly protective for both the HPV types which cause most visible warts — and are not a meaningful risk factor for cancer — and those which cause the majority of genital cancers," Hook says. "With increasing prevalence of vaccinations, the prevalence of these infections, as well as precancerous lesions has declined."

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and can lead to AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, if left untreated.

"HIV is largely asymptomatic," Kissinger says. "Only about 30% of people that have an acute HIV infection actually show symptoms."

Many experience flu-like symptoms within the first two to four weeks of infection. Though recent headlines may show treatment promise, there is currently no cure for HIV.

If you feel like you are potentially at risk for HIV, or even if you don't know, you should consult with your health provider because they can get you on something called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, Kissinger says. PrEP would protect you from getting HIV, she says. "It's sort of analogous to a vaccine for HIV, but you have to take it every day."

Hepatitis A, B and C

Hepatitis is an inflammation in the liver, in this case, caused by a virus — hepatitis A, B or C. Many with hepatitis do not experience symptoms and are not aware they are infected. For those who do experience symptoms, it may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain and joint pain.

Hepatitis B and C are leading causes of liver cancer, according to the CDC. Hepatitis C is also a leading cause of liver transplants.

Hepatitis A and B can't be treated, but there's a vaccine available to prevent yourself from getting them, Kissinger says. With hepatitis C, there's no vaccine but there's a treatment available, she says.

Risks of STIs

The importance of STIs lies largely in their long-term consequences, Hook says, particularly because many of these infections are asymptomatic.

"The tragedy of STIs is that people acquire these infections while they're relatively young and don't suffer the consequences until years and even decades later," Hook says.

For example, chlamydia can cause ectopic pregnancy and infertility. In men, it can cause epididymitis (inflammation at the back of the testicle) and less motility of the sperm, meaning the ability to move sperm efficiently.

"It's causing infertility, but you don't really know it until you get tested," Kissinger says.

Similarly, with HPV, people who haven't received the vaccine acquire those infections at a rate of about 30% to 40% per year after the initiation of sexual intercourse, Hook says. But cervical cancer and genital tract malignancies don't typically occur in people until they're in their late 30s and, oftentimes, later than that.

The separation between when people acquire their infections and when people become aware of the long-term consequences has made it particularly challenging to prevent and treat STIs in the public health field.

"Public health agencies are funded in the here and now — about what's happening now," Hook says.

As a result, the "economic imperative" is a little harder to see and further over the horizon, which makes it challenging for these diseases to be priorities for health care systems.

STIs and Pregnancy

Health experts encourage people to get a full STI evaluation before they conceive.

Children born to infected mothers can have those infections and suffer long-term consequences, or the infections themselves can cause complications of pregnancy.

Some STIs can cause complications like pneumonia, blindness or deformities in the baby. STIs are less likely to cause death, but HIV and syphilis can cause death of the baby, Kissinger says.

"It's best to get tested regularly, particularly if you're having multiple partners or you're engaging in condomless sex or you don't know your sexual partner status," Kissinger emphasizes.

STI Testing

Because most STIs are asymptomatic, it's important to get tested.

"There's nothing really to prompt a person to go get tested," Kissinger says.

That's why annual STI screening is so important if you're sexually active.

"If you're in a high-risk or high-prevalence group, you should get tested much more frequently. And particularly persons who engage in anal sex should be tested far more frequently," Kissinger says.

Depending on your symptoms and physical exam, your doctor may take a blood or urine sample or swab the genital area, inside of the mouth or any visible sores. You can get tested in a doctor's office or use an at-home STI testing kit in some cases.

"Since COVID, there's been a proliferation of home tests," Kissinger says.

Many home testing options use the same technology as testing at a physician's office and are highly accurate, as long as there's no user error, like taking the specimen incorrectly.

There's nothing wrong with an at-home test, she adds, but people have to follow through if they test positive.

Kissinger emphasizes that it's important for not only you to be seen by your doctor if you receive a positive STI test, but your sexual partners, as well, especially for treatable infections. If your sexual partners aren't treated, they're just going to reinfect you.

"Everybody in the sexual network has to get treated when there's an infection introduced into the network," Kissinger says.

STI Treatment Options

Bacterial STIs

Bacterial STIs including gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis are diseases where antibiotics are highly effective, Hook says. The treatment can eradicate the infection, and its potential to transmit it to other people.

"The only thing with gonorrhea is we're seeing a lot of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea, particularly in Africa, and some of that's coming here where they're resistant to almost all the therapeutics we have," Kissinger says. "Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest challenges in the field of STIs right now."

Viral STIs

Viral infections like herpes and HPV are not readily cured with modern antimicrobial therapy, Hook says. They require different strategies with various medicines that effectively treat and help manage them, but viral STIs are much more of a long-term issue.

"Most of the viral infections cannot be cured," Kissinger says.

The exception may be hepatitis C, which can be treated with an antiviral medication, which in some cases, can eradicate the infection.

Due to the lack of treatment options for some STIs, prevention becomes all the more important for those diseases.

Prevention of STIs

STI screening is an incredibly important measure to receive a diagnosis and proper treatment if you have a sexually transmitted infection and to prevent the further spread of infection to sexual partners.

"Prevention is better than dealing with the infections once you have them," Hook emphasizes.

Luckily, there are ways you can protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.

Sex is a usual part of life, and nearly everybody engages in it, Hook says. But STIs are the unfortunate downside of something that otherwise is a source of happiness, pleasure, a sign of intimacy and love, he says.

Condoms are one of the most effective prevention methods when used properly. Additionally, some vaccines are available that can help minimize the risk of infection, including:

— Hepatitis A. There's a hepatitis A vaccine, which is given to children, Kissinger says. Children need two doses of the vaccine, usually beginning at 12 months to 23 months of age, and receive the second dose at least six months later. Adults who weren't previously vaccinated and want to be protected can get the vaccine.

— Hepatitis B. A vaccine for hepatitis B is available, which is given to infants, Kissinger says. If an individual did not receive the vaccination as an infant, the vaccine is available for all age groups.

— HPV. The HPV vaccine is recommended for adolescents at age 11 or 12, though it can be started at age 9. The vaccine was only initially recommended for people up to their mid 20s, but is now recommended for some people through age 45 or beyond in certain cases. The vaccine is given as a two- or three-dose series, depending on the individual's age at initial vaccination. "80% to 90% of sexually active persons, if they've not received the vaccine, acquire HPV at some time in their life," Hook says. Recent data shows less recurrence of cervical pre-cancer lesions in people who are vaccinated against HPV.

Any currently or previously sexually active adult should consider STI testing with their routine medical care, especially any adult with a new sexual partner or concerning symptoms.

What is HPV